Page 21 of Captivating Anika

I feel a ton better five minutes later when I walk into the kitchen where Bodhi and Cheddar are working on dinner. The scents coming from the large pot Bodhi is stirring are what drew me in here in the first place.

“I smell curry.”

I glance over Bodhi’s shoulder. He’s frying up leek and onion with a healthy amount of curry paste.

“Don’t get too excited,” he cautions. “I’m just doing a quick soup. Cheddar’s gonna grill open-faced sandwiches if you wanna give him a hand.”

I glance over at the sitting area where Cap and Sumo are lounged on the couch, watching a news channel. I’ll pass on the news; we see enough crap in our day-to-day life. Sandwiches it is.

“Sure, I’ll give you guys a hand.”

Five minutes later Vic comes walking in, her head wrapped in a towel.

“How much longer?”

“Impatient much?” Bodhi fires back.

“Guys,” she groans, leaning over the counter. “I’m so hungry I could eat the ass out of a rhinoceros.”

“Charming, Vic,” Cheddar observes dryly.

“Bill seems to think so,” she returns, sticking her tongue out at him.

“Good thing Bill is open-minded,” he lobs back.

She rolls her eyes. “Whatever. Hey, did you guys end up driving to Albuquerque yesterday?” she then asks Bodhi, changing the subject.

“We did.”

“And?”

“Tuck seems to like it. He can walk from student housing to classes. Plenty of fast-food restaurants near campus, which made him really happy.”

“What about Trin?” Cheddar asks. “What did she think?”

Bodhi chuckles. “I think reality is setting in for her. She seemed a little subdued on the way back.”

I’m only half listening to the small talk, my mind drifting to Anika, and the kiss we shared last night. It knocked me right on my ass in a way I knew I’d have to talk to her brother sooner than later.

It cost me, taking that giant step back with her taste still on my lips and a raging hard-on that did not let up all fucking night. But I want to do this right, which means talking to my friend before things with his sister go any further. I’d hoped to catch him alone during this shift at some point, but so far there hasn’t been a chance.

“…Hog?”

My head snaps up when Vic calls my name.

“I was asking how your weekend was. Did you do anything exciting?”

Fuck yes, I did. I got to live out a fantasy I’ve harbored for years, and the reality blew any stretch of my imagination out of the water. But I can hardly say that.

“Not really,” I mumble instead, sneaking a glance at Bodhi.

I’m not sure why, it’s not like I have a sign around my neck saying I kissed his sister. Besides, he doesn’t seem to be paying attention anyway.

But a moment later I catch Vic eyeing me with interest, and it feels like she’s looking right through me.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Anika

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