Page 132 of A Sky Full Of Stars

“Josh’s what?” My lips thin as I turn to follow her gaze, but I can’t see anything from my current position. All I want to know is…does she have pink hair?

“Actually, you might have met her before,” Summer adds, smiling back at me while my heart races in my chest. “She’s—”

“Hey, you’re back,” Lainey’s unmistakable voice filters into my consciousness, and I seriously wonder if I imagined it, until she adds, “Hi, Joshie.”

All eyes flash toward the hallway as Lainey steps into view, the sight of her making my body tense and my heart pound in my chest. I feel my eyes widening but fuck if I can do anything to stop it, with all my energy focused on remembering how to breathe.

Lainey’s back.

My pink-haired goddess is standing in front of me, her arresting gaze hijacking my attention, just like she always did. Only this time, her pinched expression makes it look like she’s seen a ghost. Me… I’m the ghost.

And she doesn’t look at all happy about it.

Chapter Forty-Four

Lainey

Jesus Christ.I rush to school my features and smile at Thomas before turning my attention back to Summer. I knew there was a chance I’d run into him at some point. And if I’m being completely honest with myself, some small masochistic slice of my heartwantedto see him. But not now. I only just started this job… I never expected it to be so soon.

When I reach Summer’s side, she passes Josh over to me and smiles when he slips easily into my arms, instantly curling his fingers into my hair. I bop his nose and laugh when he giggles, temporarily distracting me from where my traitorous gaze wants to venture.

“I was just asking Thomas if you’d met,” Summer says, making it easier to keep my eyes on her. “Lainey, this is my brother, Thomas.” She waves in Thomas’s direction. “And Thomas, this is Lainey… Luke’s sister.”

I finally look Thomas’s way seconds before Summer does and catch the last glimpse of his shocked expression before he masks his feelings with a warm smile. “Yes, Luke’s sister. Hi. It’s been years.”

Yes, it has been years…but Luke’s sister?

I force a smile of my own—and try not to react to the term I thought I’d outrun when it comes to Thomas—lifting my free hand in a casual wave. “Hi,” I rush out as he waves back, pulling my focus to his hand so I’m able to avert my gaze fromhis naked chest. I've never looked directly at the sun, but I know it would be harmful if I did. I’m adopting the same theory here. I don’t have to study Thomas’s chiseled abs—or follow the line of his V as it disappears beneath his towel—to know it’s bad for me.Wait. His towel?He stayed here last night?Thank God I didn’t know that. “Nice to see you again, Thomas.”

“Ugh, I’m sorry. This is awkward,” Summer says from beside me, most likely feeling the weird energy that’s taking over the room. “Lainey, I should have told you my brother might be staying here occasionally, but Ididn’t knowhe was coming last night. And Ididn’tknowhe’d be in a towel this morning.” Her eyes flash to Thomas’s, and she pauses before sucking her lips into her mouth. “Nope.” She shakes a finger his way. “I’m sure this goes without saying, mainly because I have no doubt that Luke has already said it, but Lainey is off-limits to you.”

“What?” Thomas’s eyes widen again before his expression becomes the picture of calm. “Luke may have mentioned it, but we’re cool. I know the deal.”

Summer laughs just as Josh fusses in my arms, giving me the opportunity to make a getaway before the awkwardness moves to the next level. “Sounds like Josh is due a nap. Do you want me to do it?” I ask Summer, praying she’ll say yes.

“Yes, thank you. It would be good to catch up with Thomas before he has to disappear.”

At the mention of his name, my eyes find their way back to him, and he smiles brightly.

“No problem,” I say, ignoring the way my heart thumps in my chest and pretending I’m not incredibly messed up over seeing him again. “Come on, Joshie. Should we read a book first?”

I walk away without a backward glance, and the second I’m out of earshot, I suck in a breath, willing my pulse to return to normal. I’m not going to pretend that seeing his relaxed smiledoesn’t make my heart soar, because it does—I’ve only ever wanted him to be happy—but it’s the thought that he’s happywithout methat has my stomach in knots.

He never called.

Pushing Thomas from my mind, I focus on his nephew, going through the motions that have become my routine. And when he’s finally asleep, I tiptoe from the room before grabbing the monitor and making my way toward the back door, hoping to escape to the pool house without seeing Thomas again.

I’ve just passed the bathroom when the door flies open and I’m pulled inside, Thomas’s wide palm covering my mouth as he settles me against the tiles. He closes the door with his foot and leans in, bringing his hard body flush with mine. The air around me warms, and a familiar scent fills my nose, as my skin heats with an unwelcome desire. His fingers twitch, and when his calloused thumb rubs gently across my cheek, I involuntarily suck in a breath.

Trying to appear unaffected, I lift a brow in challenge, but he holds strong, his hand locked tight as though I’m going to scream in his presence. And maybe I should. That’s one way to ensure my release. But now that I’m here, trapped in his gaze, I don’t want to leave.

We stare at each other, in some kind of standoff, until a pained expression crosses his face and he steps back, running his fingers through his already mussed hair.

“Fuck, I’m sorry,” he whispers, shaking his head. “I wasn’t planning on attacking you like that, but I couldn’t leave without talking to you.”

He pulls at the neck of his tee, drawing attention to his now clothed body, and I hate that his hard, naked chest is still imprinted on my mind, further warming my skin.

“Say what you want to say,” I whisper back, meeting his eyes. “I need to work, and I shouldn’t be here with you.”

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