When they lift up a pair of electric blue lace panties, my whole body threatens to combust. Heat rushes through me so fast I could melt a hole right through the tile.
“Korie! Oh my god, hey!”
I startle when my sister’s voice carries through the whole fucking store.
Dammit Hattie.
Korie startles too, looking around, and their entire face goes bright red as soon as they see us. Or rather,me.Their hazel eyes are locked on me like they’re trying to cast me into another dimension.
Yeah, that makes two of us. My heart is hammering, and my mind is going somewhere itdefinitelyshould not be going.
I mean, Korie in lace? I’m not strong enough to resist that.
“What are you doing here?” Hattie asks.
Korie can’t seem to find their voice, mouth opening and closing without saying a word. They look between us, then at the exit like they’re thinking of bolting.
I adjust my pants as discreetly as I can, and quickly back away, desperate to give us an out. “You know what, I’m gonna go grab us some pretzel bites.”
Hattie gives me a look. “Holden—”
“It’s the lingerie department, Hattie,” I hiss under my breath. “I’m leaving.”
She rolls her eyes like I’m being dramatic, but she doesn’t stop me, instead turning her attention back to Korie.
Without looking back, I tuck tail and run.
My skin is still hot by the time I reach the food court, and I drag a hand through my hair, trying to get a grip on myself. All I can think about is that flash of bright blue.
I will my body to relax as I wait in line, then order a stupidly large basket of pretzel bites just to have something to focus on. When I return to the store, I plant my ass on the bench outside, not trusting myself to go in.
Breathe, Holden.
Seriously. Calm the fuck down.
Don’t think about Korie.
Don’t think about the underwear.
Definitely don’t think about Korie wearing the—fuck.
I snag a few of the salty bites and play on my phone. Things are already a little twisted between us. I don’t want to make it worse. But Korie’s probably going to bail as soon as they have a chance, anyway. It’s what I would do in their shoes.
A few minutes later, Hattie walks out alone, and I’m not sure if I’m relieved or disappointed.
She stalks over to me, her heels clacking against the tile. Saying nothing, she sits down and narrows her eyes.
I squirm, feeling like a kid about to get scolded.
“What was that about?” she finally asks, snagging a few pretzel bites from the basket.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She tsks.
I glare at her. “Now you sound like Mom.”
Gasping, she shoves me hard. “Take it back!”
