Page 90 of Make Me Dream of You

“Guess we better get dressed, then. I’m not in the mood to get punched in the face today.”

I sit up and stretch my neck. But I don’t want to leave her bed. I don’t want to get dressed.

Part of me wants her to shrug and say, eh, let Bex see us and then assure me Bex won’t punch me in the face for corrupting her little sister (she will).

But Livvy smiles and nods. “Yeah, that’d probably be best. I mean, with you being exes, it could get…complicated. It might be better if I talk to her on my own.”

“Right, yeah, of course.” Complicated.

Obviously, I know Bex and I dated. I haven’t forgotten about that—but it was so long ago, I don’t really think about it. I wasn’t thinking it’d be that complicated, but maybe she’s right. I don’t want to cause a strain in their relationship, especially for something that is so brand new. Too new to even call it a thing.

Maybe Livvy doesn’t want this to be anything more than casual fun. After all, she’s young. She’s been dating and exploring her options. I’ve been pining over her through my phone screen for months, but as far as I know, her feelings for me could be only weeks or days or hours old.

And didn’t she tell me she’s been trying to get over a crush she’s had for years? I irrationally hate that guy. No, this thing between us is new for her.

I clear my throat. “You don’t have to tell her anything right away. There’s not much to even tell her yet, right? We can wait until we see what this is between us.” I nod reassuringly, trying to keep my smile from falling.

She blinks, then nods, too. “Right.”

“Right.” I keep nodding.

Right. Good.

An entire day of shared glances and secret touches and looking for every opportunity to steal her away into a corner or hallway or closet and kiss her senseless. Even if it’s only for half a minute. Those seconds are giving me life.

We’re sitting around the fire again on the beach, though conversation is a bit more subdued. It’s the last night here.

I sip my beer as the flames dance, flicker, and crackle against the black sky. The fire is warm, but the breeze coming off the lake is cool.

In my periphery, I see Livvy shivering and rubbing her arms. I have nothing to offer her, and it’s killing me I can’t just slide up close to her and put my arm around her.

I’ve never envied people in relationships, but I find myself irrationally furious with Spencer and how he has his girlfriend sitting right next to him and yet he doesn’t put his arm around her. He doesn’t hold her hand or squeeze her thigh or give her forehead kisses.

Forehead kisses?

I don’t even know who I am anymore. I’m never like this. I’m always the one to be a little at a distance. Don’t fall too hard. Don’t fall too far. Don’t lose anyone else. Don’t get hurt.

But I want to give Liv forehead kisses. And hold her hand. And fall at her feet and give her anything and everything she wants.

I push the intrusive thought of her lying only a few feet away with blue lips out of my mind and lean over toward her.

“Do you want to go inside?”

Livvy turns to me, eyes bright, with a small smile, the fire glowing warm on her face.

Anything for her.

She nods. “Yeah, I think I do want to go in.”

“We’re turning in, too.” Spencer stands. “I want to get in an early morning run before the drive tomorrow. Jake, if you’re running with me, it might be a good idea to stop drinking and turn in, too.”

Jake raises his beer bottle to his brother with a smirk. “Nah, I’m on vacation. I’ll be sleeping at five o’clock, but you enjoy your run.”

Spencer purses his lips and looks at Macy until she stands, then walks off.

Macy waves at us with a tight-lipped smile and then scurries to catch up with Spencer already well on his way to the house.

“I’ll come with you,” Bex says, holding her bottle of beer up to the light. It’s over halfway full still.

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