I force my gaze down to the ground and focus back on the more important things, like if maybe Nolan isn’t feeling well, instead of my seemingly ravenous libido.
I don’t think it’s that, though. No, his sentence almost felt incomplete, like he had more to say but simply didn’t.
I don’t push; if he is uncomfortable, all that will do is make it worse. Besides, nobody said anything, and we’re outside now; everything is fine.
Neither of us says another word until we reach our hall, and it’s as if Nolan can finally breathe.
He sucks in a deep breath, and I give him a minute to get himself together. “I don’t usually do the whole walk with a girl,or like anything with a girl.” He spits the words out so quickly I struggle to make sense of them at first.
I pause as his words register. “I’m so sorry. You didn’t have to walk with me if you didn’t want to. I would have made it back on my own just fine. Next time, just tell Julian you’re busy or something…” I press a hand to my mouth to stop my rambling and feel the warmth of my cheeks as embarrassment threatens to choke me.
He hadn’t wanted to walk with me, and Julian made him.
“No, wait!” Nolan all but shouts as I head toward the door, sure he’s had enough of me. If only I had a room to hide away in…
I don’t stop, though. How can I? I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to look him in the eyes again.
“Wren.” His fingers wrap around my arm, stopping me in place, firm enough that I can’t keep walking, but easy enough that it doesn’t cause any pain.
It’s a strange sense of gentleness that I wouldn’t expect from someone of Nolan’s size.
“I…” I hear him swallow hard before he takes a deep breath and tries again, this time more successfully. “I volunteered to come and grab you when Julez said he was busy.”
Now it’s my turn for my breath to catch as I whirl around to look him in the eyes and see he’s telling the truth.
“Why?” I can’t stop the question from spilling out even if I wanted to, not with the way he’d just reacted.
“I didn’t want you to be alone.” He holds my gaze as he says it, and I swear he’s closer than he was a moment ago. I can’t help but breathe him in; the scent of him is so relaxing. You would think he would only ever smell of chlorine, with how often he’s in the pool, but he reminds me of warm days at the beach, saltwater, and sand. It makes me think of rare times whenJordan and I were able to sneak away and bury our feet and our worries in the sand, even if just for a few hours.
“Thank you.” It’s all that comes to mind, and I’m sure it sounds lame, but I swear I see the slightest hint of color rise to his cheeks before he pulls back and gives me a jerky nod.
“We should probably…” He holds an arm out toward the door, and I smile at him and his adorable, awkward behavior.
Who knew the big guy could be so soft?
I walk past him, close enough that my fingers touch the back of his hand where it hangs at his side, and he doesn’t pull away, so I’m going to count that as a win.
So much for staying away from the boys.
I walk through the door with what I’m sure is a dopey grin, only to find the very man I’d just envisioned smacking upside the head not five minutes ago. Funny how I kind of want to kiss him now.
The smile on his face is dazzling as usual, but that’s not what catches my attention, or at least that’s not what holds it.
No, it’s the bottle on the table in front of him, the bright purple bottle.
Apparently, his wager wasn’t empty, and as I stand, staring at the beautiful shade of purple, I’m kind of glad for that. I’d been terrified at first, but now, well, I might even say I’m excited. I’ve never done anything like this, and it’s time I stepped outside my comfort zone. I mean, it seems to be working out pretty well with the guys. Lord knows talking to them and letting them in has been a challenge, but one that was so very worth it.
I move around the couch, plopping down beside him and scooping the bottle up to get a better look.
“It’s beautiful,” I gush as I turn it this way and that, admiring the way it shines when it catches the light.
“Your favorite color.”
It’s not a question but a statement of fact. He’s right, though I’m not sure I’ve ever told him that.
Is that why he picked purple, or was that just a coincidence?
“Ready to join the colorful world?” Julian cocks a brow at me as if daring me to back out.
