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He lowers his eyes down my body. “You look like you’re going to the North Pole,” he teases. I notice he’s wearing gym shorts and a sweatshirt.
“Not all of us are natural ovens,” I retort, wrapping my arms around my body. “I’m always cold, even in summer.”
“So when I felt you shiver upstairs, it wasn’t because of me?”
I blush, my cheeks heating at his bluntness. “You’re quite full of yourself, aren’t you?”
“Only when I know I’m right.”
Rolling my eyes, I ignore his stare and refuse to admit it. Bruno returns, and as Eli praises him, I lean down and roll snow between my palms. After Eli throws the toy again, he turns toward me, and I throw the snowball directly at his face. He’s so caught off guard, he doesn’t move, and I burst out laughing at his expression.
Brushing off his face, he narrows his eyes at me. “You’re so dead.”
The moment he comes for me, I start running. Something hits my back, and when I look over my shoulder, I see he’s leaning down for more snow. Bruno barks at us, chasing us both, and I keep running even though my lungs burn.
“Get her, Bruno!” Eli shouts.
“No!” I yell, laughing so hard I can barely catch my breath. “Go away!”
Of course, Bruno quickly catches up to me and is all up in my shit, giving Eli the opportunity to tackle me to the ground. He’s on top of me, holding me hostage and grinning like he’s won the Super Bowl.
“Payback, princess.” He cups a handful of snow and holds it over my head.
“No, please, no,” I beg, squinting my eyes. “I’ll do anything!”
“Anything, huh?” He stops and cocks his head, amused.
“Yes! Just don’t get me in the face,” I plead.
Strands of his hair fall over his perfect face as he releases the ball. The scruff over his jawline reaches up to his hairline, and he keeps it nicely trimmed. It’s probably a good thing he has longer hair, considering a haircut is impossible to get right now.
“Alright, I’ll bite.” He flashes an evil grin, and I know whatever he’s gonna make me do will be torturous.
He stands and helps me up, brushing the snow off my jacket. “Tonight.”
“Tonight, what?”
“You will see…”
“I don’t like the sound of that,” I say as we walk back to the house.
Bruno is still energized as hell as he gallops into the kitchen, bringing a trail of snow with him. Eli follows me, smirking as I remove my coat.
He walks around me, removing his boots, and looks at me. “I’ll clean up my mess, don’t worry.”
“I wasn’t.” I swallow.
He snorts. “Yeah, right. I can tell when you’re lying.”
Furrowing my brows, I ask, “How?”
“I’ve known you for over ten years, Cami. And for most of that time, when you were around, I watched everything you did. Being observant allowed me to learn a few things about you.”
“You’re starting to sound like a creep,” I tease, taking off my boots.
“Which is exactly why I didn’t tell you.” He grins, then continues, “Your nostrils flare.”
“What?”
“When you’re lying.”
Immediately, I cover my nose with my hand. “They do not.”
“I bet you hate that I know so much about you,” he says. “But you know a lot about me, too.”
He’s right, I do, but I hadn’t thought about it in a while. “Like how you haven’t cut your hair in seven years.”
“Aside from trims, that’s right.”
“I’m jealous it’s thicker than mine.” I chuckle.
“Gotta use the right products,” he says, smirking. “If you’re nice, I’ll share them with you.”
I place a hand over my chest, faking excitement. “You’re so sweet!”
“It’s not your three-hundred-dollar shampoos, but it does the job.”
Crossing my arms, I scoff. “I don’t spend that much.”
“Go clean up and do what you gotta do. You owe me, and I want payment tonight,” he says, walking backward toward the staircase and pointing at me. “After dinner.”
“Well, I should be relieved you aren’t going to make me cook again, but somehow, this sounds more terrifying.”
He grins, waggling his brows, then turns and walks up the staircase with Bruno following.
When he’s out of sight, I let out a sigh and go to the kitchen. As I make a smoothie and think about how much has changed in only a few days, I can’t contain my smile. He admitted he had a crush on me—and still does—and I realized those feelings I had for him have never faded. They’ve always been bubbling under the surface, and I’ve constantly fought to keep them under control, but not anymore.
Eli made me feel comfortable and not at all like a burden when I was at my most vulnerable. It’s hard for me to admit I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, but instead of judging me, he stepped right into action. I should’ve known Eli would want to help, and I’m so thankful he did. My thoughts drifted away from our reality as he held me, and I feel a hundred times better now. Though the circumstances suck, I’m so damn grateful he’s here with me.
