"I know that," I said.
"Then what's the problem?"
"If I lean back, will you please stop talking?"
"Yeah," he said.
"Fine." I eased back an inch, still not touching him. "Oh look, I feel so much better."
"Freya."
"What?"
With a heavy, put-upon sigh, Tolliver reached one long arm around my waist and pulled me back so that I was flush againsthis chest. He moved me with little to no effort. I was pretty sure I gasped like a fool. Hopefully, he didn't hear it.
Unlike me, Tolliver's breathing was totally normal.
I knew this because I could feel each inhale and exhale.
"There," he said. "Isn't this better?"
"Mmm," I said while thinking: better, worse, warmer, more tortuous and definitely more distracting.
"Just relax, and let me know when you want me to turn the page."
I gave a small nod.
Knowing I'd never get any reading done like this.
Absolutely convinced my heart was about to explode out of my chest.
Glad I had already taken a shower.
Wishing I would've put on perfume or something because Tolliver smelled so good. Better than any teenage boy had a right to. With how close we were, it was impossible not to breathe him in on every inhale.
As my back muscles released, I found that I could, in fact, read like this. We got to the end of a chapter and started another. Tolliver was much taller than me, and before I knew it, without conscious thought, my head rested back against him. His sharp intake of breath made me jolt.
"You okay, Stone?" I asked, turning my head.
"Never better, Kent." His voice sounded slightly deeper. "Keep reading."
"Okay, if you're sure..."
"I'm sure."
I kept reading. Tolliver turned the pages. The system went like clockwork, better than I ever would've thought. And I couldn't deny that something about being close like this was cozy. He had to reach around me as his other hand stayed planted beside my hip, not touching but there. His chest washard but impossibly comfortable at the same time, his legs bracketing either side of my body. Almost like he was giving me a strange yet warm hug.
It was actually, surprisingly lovely.
That was how my dad found us a couple of hours later. My head resting against Tolliver's chest, his arms around me as he turned the page. Dad cleared his throat. Startled, I sat up too quickly, accidentally nailing Tolliver in the chin with the back of my head.
"Sorry," I said, reaching toward his face, "you okay?"
Tolliver waved me off as he touched his jaw. "All good. Is your head okay?"
As his hand went to my hair, I laughed a little hysterically and stepped out of reach. "Course, I'm fine." Ignoring my nerves, I said, "Dad. What's up?"
My father stared at me then Tolliver. He looked amused but also concerned about the position he'd found us in. Shifting his focus back to me, he said, "I came to remind you of your PT appointment."
