I can’t believe I slipped up, and enough for him to havememorizedmy eyes?
What the fuck.
“He’s really good,” Raya remarks, and I realize we are heading toward my house. “But didn’t you guys think those eyes looked alotlike Orie’s?”
Orian lets out a brief chuckle. “They certainly did.”
“But how would he have painted her eyes without meeting her first?” Arman asks.
“Great question.” Orian shoots me a devilish grin over his shoulder. “Any thoughts, dear sister?”
I narrow my eyes at him, pursing my lips for a moment. “Well, he did meet me when he stopped into my store the other day. He bought a bunch of essential oil rollerballs.” It’s the truth, I’m just conveniently leaving out the times I’ve watched him from the shadows of the trees in the conservation area. A minor omission, really.
“Clearly you made a lasting impression,” Arman says, grinning over his shoulder at me.
Before I can argue, Raya gives my arm a squeeze. “He seems pretty smitten. The whole time he was unveiling the painting, he was only looking atyou.”
Smitten?
With me?
No, he’s dangerous…he has to be. No one has been smitten with me before.
“He was looking around at others,” I say, scoffing and attempting to brush it off.
“No, he wasn’t.” Raya lets out a giggle. “What do you think of him, Orie? Is he your type? What even is your type? I don’t think you’ve ever talked to me about dating.”
Oh Gods, this is not something I want to talk about—or admit—in front of my brother. Raya, please read mymind through our best friend connection and drop the dating conversation.
Orian comes to an abrupt stop, spinning on his heel. His tail whips behind him as his eyes widen. “Wait, wait, wait—have you not dated since integrating into the human world?”
We all stop walking, and I keep a straight face as I hold his gaze. There’s no sense in lying here; I think all three of them would see right through me. I’m sure my silence speaks volumes as it is.
Orian grips his belly, laughing from the depths of his soul as he leans back. Arman closes his eyes and thins his lips, but the purplish hue of his cheeks reveals that he’s fighting off a laugh.
I look at Raya, praying to the Gods she isn’talsolaughing at me. Her eyes are wide and lips parted, but there’s no sign of laughter or mockery. This is just another one of the reasons she’s a staple in my life.
She never judges me.
Maybe Ishouldtell her about the Carson situation.
“Well, is he your type?” She repeats the question, blinking at me.
The laughter from Orian stops, and Arman opens his eyes. They all watch me, waiting for an answer. The issue is…I don’t know.
He’s attractive, and I know he makes me feel everything to the extreme, but is that because he’s hot? Or is it something else, something…more.
Gods, even the few interactions we’ve had has deepened the feelings. What’s on the inside of him I like too—theparts I’ve seen, at least. It’s making me lower my guard. It might even be making me fall for him.
I shrug awkwardly, pulling my tail into my hand and fiddling with it. “He’s handsome, I guess.”
Raya grabs my wrists, shaking me and bringing my attention to her. “You’re coming over right now—or I’m going to your place—because we need to talk about this.”
I bite my bottom lip, my heart racing. My gaze darts to Orian, smiling smugly, his arms crossed over his chest. As much as I want to go talk to Raya about Carson, about dating, and tell her everything…I think I need to talk to Orian.
Maybe I haven’t been entirely honest aboutallthe things Carson is setting on fire inside of me—both to myself and Orian.
And by the look on my twin brother’s face right now, he’s well aware of that fact.
