“He's the furthest from it. He’s one of the best people I know here.”
“Okay,” I say. My lips part for me to say more, but Grandma Betty approaches us.
“I’m staying at Mike’s tonight,” she says. “Don’t burn my house down.”
Tobias's grip on my hand tightens, so I squeeze it back.
“We won’t, Grandma Betty,” I say, patting his chest with my other hand.
“Have fun,” he grits out, and I have to force a closed mouth smile so I don’t laugh.
“Will do, sweetheart.” She pats his cheek and walks off.
He watches her meet up with Mike, giving him a wave as they walk toward his house.
A squeak escapes me.
“Don’t start,” Tobias warns, grinning as he looks down at me.
“I wasn’t.”
“Liar.” He pinches my side. I squeal again as my body inches closer to his, the arm he has around me locking me in.
Well, if teasing him gets me this, maybe I need to rethink a few things.
* * *
It’s after nine by the time Tobias and I get back to the house. It’s not late by any means, but the rest of the town seemed like they were about to pull an all-nighter. Quinn included, because she said not to wait up for her.
Since neither of us is tired, we settle on the couch together with reruns ofFriends.
Ross has just slapped himself in the face with shaving cream when Tobias’s leg brushes against mine.
My heart starts to pound against my ribs.
What is this?
What’s happening to me?
Focus on the TV.
A couple of close moments and an almost kiss later, and this is where my mind is.
We’ve watched hundreds of movies together. We have shared a blanket dozens of times. We’ve been like this more times than I can count.
My heart shouldn't be beating faster, and I shouldn’t be swallowing lumps in my throat, dwelling over what every touch from him means.
But I am.
Oh, I so,soam.
“Are you cold?” Tobias asks, pulling the blanket that we’re sharing up higher. “You have goose bumps on your arms.”
“Fine. Good. Thanks.”
His eyes narrow a little as he looks at me. There’s a clear question in them that I refuse to acknowledge.
I press a thin smile to my lips and look back at the TV.
