He laughs under his breath and lifts his hands in surrender. “Alright. Go ahead.”
I turn back to the shelf and reach up…okay. Maybe I am too small.
I rise onto my toes, stretching as far as I can, fingertips barely brushing the edge of the top plate. Behind me, I hear him shift. “Need help?” he asks, way too amused.
“Nope,” I mutter. “Almost there.”
I reach again and tip slightly forward. Before I can lose my balance, his hands catch my waist, steadying me instantly.
“You’re so stubborn,” he says.
I turn my head toward him. “I’m not stubborn.”
He just huffs a laugh, already reaching past me with ease, grabbing the plates like it’s nothing. And suddenly, I’m very aware of how close we are. I look up at him, and he’s right there, towering over me, the plates balanced in one hand like they weigh nothing.
“Not stubborn, you say?” he murmurs, that teasing smile still there.
I open my mouth to respond, but don’t. Because he’s so close. My eyes flick up to his, and for a second neither of us moves. His gaze drops, just briefly, before lifting back to mine, and something in my chest tightens.
The door swings open.
“Well, well,” Bailey sings.
We step apart so fast it’s almost impressive.
“Lovebirds. Dessert is ready,” she adds, smirking.
“Coming,” Ryan says quickly.
I clear my throat, suddenly very interested in literally anything else as Bailey disappears down the hall. Ryan rubs the back of his neck. “Come on,” he says after a second, tilting his head toward the door. “Let’s get that dessert you came for.”
“This might be the best apple pie I’ve ever had.” I close my eyes while taking a bite, because it really is thebestapple pie I’ve ever had.
The small coffee table in front of the couch is completely covered. Tea steaming in mugs, the little antique plates we grabbed, and right in the middle that golden apple pie.
“Thank you dear,” Mabel says with a sweet smile.
“I did the apples,” Bailey adds proudly.
I hear Ryan laugh softly, his breath against my neck, sending a little shiver down my spine.
We’re squeezed onto the small sofa together, because Bailey and Mabel took the bigger one (on purpose I think). And Ryan practically takes up the entire seat with his stupidly athletic build, leaving me folded sideways beside him, knees pulled up and feet tucked under me. But I do have to admit, I’m pretty comfortable. I think I've gotten used to sitting this close.
I shift a little, then look toward Bailey. “What about you? What do you want to do after high school?”
“Well, I have a couple things.” Bailey straightens proudly. “FBI agent, actress, fashion designer, professional surfer, lawyer maybe because well—the drama.”
Ryan and I exchange a look, both of us grinning.
“She really is a mini version of Kiara,” he says.
“You don't say,” I laugh and look back at Bailey. “I’m so sure that you’re gonna be able to actually pull that off.”
“Thank you,” she says and then straightens instantly. “Oh my god, wait. Speaking of, would you still teach me surfing?”
I grin. “Absolutely.” I lower my voice. “I’ll even teach you the dramatic slow-mo beach walk.”
She gasps, leaning back. “Iknewthere was a trick to that.”
