Page 76 of Not Until I Found You

There’s a hint of pink on the tip of her ears and cheeks as she bites her bottom lip. I nudge her with my elbow, leaning in close enough that my lips are only centimeters from grazing her earlobe.

“Your thoughts are written all over your face, Butterfly.”

The pieces of her hair framing her face move as my breath hits her, and she shivers. Knowing that I have any kind of effect on her makes me want to see what other buttons I can push. I move away and sink farther into my cozy couch.

She narrows her eyes at me when I smirk at her. “And what are they?” She lifts a brow in a challenge.

Mine do the same as I reply, “That you find me unbelievably attractive in a green face mask.”

A burst of laughter escapes her before Annabelle asks for her hand and begins painting her nails with a sunshine-yellow color.

Maxinne’s gaze finds mine, one corner of her mouth twitching upward, making the faintest dimple pop in her cheek. “Guilty as charged.”

Ever since I met Maxinne, I haven’t exactly made it easy for her to read me. Every interaction has been one step forward, two steps back. A green light followed by an immediate red, all because I’ve convinced myself that keeping people at a distance is safer than risking my heart again. But sitting here now, watching her laugh with Annabelle, I realize I’m tired.

I’m tired of second-guessing every feeling, of creating a distance when all I want to do is close it. Her arm brushes mine again, and I don’t pull away from it, because I want to know what could happen if I stop holding back. That’s the issue, though, because Maxinne came to Covewood with dreams that existed long before I ever entered the picture, and I want her to chase every single one of them. I’d never ask her to give those up, not for me or for anyone.

It’s the cruelest part of it all because I like her enough that I want her to have everything she’s hoping to find, even if none of it includes me. The possibility of her leaving is the one thing keeping my feet planted. The one fear that keeps me from reaching for her.

I shove the thought aside before it can settle too deeply. Across from me, Annabelle finishes painting Maxinne’s fingernails and immediately reaches for her sandals so she can tackle her toes next.

“How come I got the whole rainbow and Maxinne only gets one color?” I ask.

Annabelle shrugs, her attention fixed on her task. “Because when Maxinne smiles, it’s like sunshine. So, yellow is her color.”

Maxinne presses a hand to her chest and lets out a soft, “Aww.”

“Do I not have a color that fits me?”

“Nope,” Annabelle says without hesitation.

Maxinne presses her lips together, clearly trying—and failing—to hold back a laugh. I decide to get back at her by pointing out that she’s never seen Frozen, which prompts Annabelle to snatch up the remote and declare that we have to watch it. But not before she makes sure Maxinne gets a face full of green goo.

Before I go to the bathroom to wash mine away, I take a photo with the three of us and our green faces so I can send it to my brother. To my surprise, I see a new group message in my notifications. Maxinne has started one between her, Ashton, Wren, and me.

Butterfly

*Photo of me with the green face mask*

Came to get my daily Sven fix and walked in on a Shrek-core spa day.

Wren

You’re having a spa day without me? Rude.

Ashton

Don’t worry, Wren, you don’t need the face mask to look like Shrek.

Wren

Now that was mean!

Ashton

No, you’re right. That was mean. The red hair makes you Princess Fiona, then.

Wren