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It took me a second to understand what she was doing.
I brought a hand to my ear, too. “Holy shit, I think Rosie’s right. Hold on.” I paused. “Is that a fire truck right outside?”
Charo’s eyes turned to thin slits, her gaze flashing with well-founded suspicion.
“I think you’re right, Lucas. That means we should really go,” Rosie added quickly. “One is never too fast to evacuate. Before the fire spreads.”
“Hold on,” Charo complained. “I can’t hear—”
“Sorry, Charo,” Rosie cut her off again. “We’ll catch up another day, maybe?”
“That is if we survive,” I added.
Rosie glanced at me. I dipped my head, holding her gaze, fully aware that the grin I had been fighting during our charade was now parting and bending my lips upward.
Rosie’s smile was there, too. A much smaller one. And I wondered if she did this often enough. Smile.
Charo scoffed, bringing my attention back to the phone. I managed not to give her an in to speak. “Adiós, hermana!And, Taco, I will miss you,chico. Be a good boy, okay?”
To that he whined, breaking my heart in two.
“Bye, guys!” Rosie said quickly. “It was great meeting you, Taco. And talking to you, too, Charo.”
Then, Ifinallyterminated the call and lowered my phone until it rested on the kitchen island.
“The fire alarm,” I said, releasing a slow breath and not caring to move right away. “A classic,” I added while I simply stood there, with my head roughly at the same height as Rosie’s, and my body only a few short inches behind hers.
Rosie’s chuckle was sweet and soft, her posture not as stiff as when I’d first come so close. “I’m so sorry I lied to her. I feel so bad.”
“I’m glad you did,” I admitted. I was also surprised she had. Gladly. “I love my sister, but I needed some saving—and you were quicker than me.”
“I needed as much saving as you did, Lucas.”
I was going to ask why and if it had to do with my sister’s comment about her attending the wedding on her own, but before I did, Rosie’s back relaxed, coming into contact with my chest.
The sudden warmth of her body against mine took me by surprise, and the change in my breathing was enough to fill my lungs with her scent.Peaches.
Rosie’s breath hitched at the contact, and the motion somehow brought us even closer. On instinct, my arms went around her sides, my hands gripping the edge of the island. Peaches surrounded me, the soft heat coming off her body as my arms caged her, reminding me of how long it had been since I’d let anyone this close. Or close at all. Reminding me of how natural physical contact and touch had always come to me. And how I had isolated myself after what happened.
A warning flashed behind my eyes.Step away, off-limits. You’re in no place or shape for any of this.
So just as quickly as I’d moved forward, I pushed back.
Rosie was safe with me. I hadn’t made that statement lightly. I might be labeled a brute by my cousin for my lack of… refinement or manners, but I wasn’t a caveman. I had every intention of respecting Rosie. Especially now that we were going to share this apartment. Even if only temporarily.
“All right.” I turned around with a clap. I opened a few cabinets, looking for the flour. “I promised you churros. So, you’re getting churros for breakfast,roomie.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Rosie
We were roommates.
Temporaryroommates, as I’d been sure to make very clear.
Because I wouldn’t take advantage of Lucas’s kindness.
It was one thing to stay in Lina’s empty place while she was on her honeymoon, like I’d intended when I’d shown up two nights ago. But it was Lucas who had been promised the apartment. I’d only accepted his help because I… I was a little desperate.
