It’s slow enough to show off the way his white shorts are painted on over his ass, his long fucking legs, and—oh fuck, he’s got dimples.
His crop top shows off the flash of skin, the divots above his waistband winking at me when he does a second pass.
When he settles back on flat feet, he winks.
“It’s hot in here,” I murmur, dropping his grip to fan myself with the collar of my shirt. “Isn’t it hot in here?”
Dark brows slam down over his eyes, and a rush of guilt has my stomach rolling over.
“Hey, Sadie?” he says, slowly turning away from me to where she’s standing, her lens pointing right at us.
Oh, fuck.
I swallow hard but it doesn’t stop my stomach from bubbling.
“Oh, god, I forgot she was here,” I rush out and slap a hand over my mouth.
Now Marlo looks panicked, worried even, as he asks her for water and steps closer. His scent is intoxicating and burns my nose.
I fucking like it … so why do I feel like I might throw up?
Working my throat doesn’t seem to be helping, but neither does focusing on him. He’s so glittery and pretty. Out loud. Colorful.
And I’m … not.
I’m fucking boring.
This was a terrible mistake.
CHAPTER 04: MARLO
He seriously looks like he’s about to pass out.
Pale-faced, sweating bullets, and I’d recognize those self-deprecating mumbles from anywhere. It’s the same ones I told myself with for a long, loooong time while I was hidden inside my closet and desperately hoping I’d just wake up as someone else. Waiting helplessly for my eighteenth birthday so I wouldn’t have to tell my parents or hear their judgement when they found out.
They still found out, and it still hurt like a bitch.
“Let’s sit down,” I offer, gesturing to the deep red Chesterfield chair with a fur throw tossed over the back. He slumps into it, ass on the edge and elbows propped on his knees.
“Fuck, okay. I’m so sorry.”
Shaking my head, I accept the cold glass from Sadie as she flashes me a knowing look.
“It’s okay, Lennix,” she offers gently. “I’m gonna give you two a minute. I’ll be right outside.”
He nods, and so do I, as she turns away, her long brown hair following her like a cape.
She’s so nice.
“Marlo, I’m sorry. I don’t think I can do this.”
He’s fucking trembling when I look at him, his cheeks stained despite the paleness of the rest of him and my heart leaps up into my throat.
“You don’t have to, Nix. It’s totally fine.”
Accepting the glass with a small nod and an even smaller thanks, he drops his head to stare at the floor.
“You’re just so …”
