Page 15 of Justice for Puck Bunnies

Her body stiffens and her lips tighten.

“My best friend is getting married, which I’m thrilled for, but also we’re roommates and I’m losing my apartment.”

“You can’t find another roomie?”

“Her apartment.”

“Sublease?”

“Expires in nine days.”

“Shit. That’s barely enough time to pack, let alone find and fund a new place.”

“Hence the drinking and the burger.”

We’re quiet again. Her story is neither my fault nor my responsibility, but still the situation turns over in my mind while I search for a solution.

I move a little closer to give her some comfort, and she rests her head on my shoulder.

“My problems aren’t your fault,” she whispers. “If anything, I’m the one who owes you.”

It’s so quiet I barely hear it, and I’m not sure she meant me to.

I lay an arm over her bent knees to get her to relax, and she lets them fall over my legs. I stretch an arm across her and cup her thigh to encourage her closer.

She’s not sitting in my lap, but her bent legs rest on my lap as she hugs my arm, and it’s like having her wrapped around me. I rest my cheek on the top of her head because it feels so good to be close to her. I really like physical affection, and there hasn’t been anyone in a long time for that.

“This is nice,” I comment.

She snuggles a little deeper. “Thank you. I needed this.”

By the start of the third period, Mason and Trick come in through the garage. I can hear them making noise in the mudroom between the garage and kitchen, which is still two rooms over.

Izzy and I freeze, neither of us sure how to handle it. We’ve barely spoken since we got here. I have no idea how the guys will take her being here or how she’ll react.

“Vin?” Trick calls out.

The woman wrapped around me startles at the sound of his voice. She bolts to her feet and grabs her purse from the coffee table.

“I should go,” she rushes out.

“Wait, Izzy, it’s fine.”

“No, it’s definitely not.” She desperately searches the room. “Fucking hell, where is my phone?”

“What?”

She leans over me on the couch to whisper the question into my ear.

“Charging in the kitchen.”

“But—”

Trick and Mason sweep into the living room at the moment Izzy’s leaning over me with her face so close to mine during our quiet conversation. They both halt so fast it’s like surprise has turned them to stone.

Their eyes trade between the two of us, with diametrically opposite reactions.

Trick’s blow wide in shock. His shoulders draw back.

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