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Eli finishes wiping down the counter and tosses the cloth in the sink before he turns to lean against it, his arms folded over his chest as he surveys the now spotless kitchen before his gaze finds mine.
“I don’t know many guys that would do what you’ve just done for afriend,” he says, with a smug grin.
“Whatever you say, bro.”
Quiet descends around us, the mindless bustle from the rest of the cottage muffled as we finish up in the kitchen. By the time we’re done, the girls are ready, sipping happily at the drinks Eli delivered into the lounge for them.
Ryan finds my gaze as I pass the open door, and I stop in my tracks, unable to take my eyes off her. The green sequined dress she’s wearing glistens against her golden skin, and her hair is curled loosely around her shoulders, the rich brown making the hazel in her eyes pop.
She looks like a dream, and when her red-stained lips split open into a beautiful smile meant only for me, my heart races.
“You know you’re totally fucked, right?” Eli whispers, sidling beside me as Ryan talks to Bailey.
“Yup,” I answer, bobbing my head, though my gaze remains on her. “Nothing I can do about it now, though. She’s it, Eli.”
“He finally fucking admits it.” Eli laughs, moving to cup my shoulder.
“No point denying it. Not like everyone hasn’t figured it out already.”
“EveryonebutRyan, it seems,” he says, cocking his head. “And Bailey, but I don’t think you’ll have anything to worry about when it comes to her.”
I scoff. “Try telling Ry that.”
7
Ryan
Sweatbeadsonmyneck as I weave through the gathering bodies.
The cottage is abuzz with excitement as Bailey pounds back shot after shot on her mission to drink one for each year she’s been alive. My stomach recoils as she downs number six, and I’m hoping Daisy will be on sick duty later—Bailey may be my best friend, but vomit is not something I’m equipped to handle.
The party is in full swing as I make my way into the lounge. Glancing around the room, I try to find a familiar face, but they’re few and far between. God knows where Bailey has found them all; I don’t think I’ve met even half of the thirty people she’s invited.
I sip my drink and tuck myself into the corner to people watch.
It isn’t long before I’m drawn to a super familiar face. One I shouldn’t be looking for, but can’t peel my eyes from. If I thought Chase looked good in casual wear, it’s nothing compared to how he looks when he’s made an effort.
He’s dressed in all black, as usual, but instead of a hoodie and jeans, he’s wearing tailored pants that cling to his thick thighs and a tight black shirt rolled up to the elbows, showing off the ink adorning his forearms. His hair is styled loosely, pushed back from his forehead, and I start to smile, but that quickly changes when I see where his attention is focused.
A petite redhead stands at his side, gesturing wildly with her hands as he chuckles at whatever she’s saying. She’s dressed in blue jeans and a white blouse, and her hair falls straight down her back.
She’s super pretty. I guess.
And she looks sweet and kind.
I hate her.
“That’s not nice, RyRy.”
I snap my gaze to Kai, scowling as he throws his arm over my shoulder. “What’s not nice?”
“You hating someone you’ve never even met.”
A flush creeps over my neck, and I avert my eyes, staring at the floor. I really need to stop blurting out my inner ramblings without realising. That shit is going to get me in trouble one day. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“So you weren’t glaring daggers at that poor girl and telling yourself you hate her?” he jests, tugging me towards an empty spot on the couch. There’s barely room for two on the cushion, but he pulls us down either way. Our thighs are squashed together, and he has to toss his arm over the back just for some breathing space.
“Nope. I said Iate here. And I wasn’t glaring daggers at her. There was a spider crawling over her head.”
