“That explains a lot,” Gabe replies, then downs the last of an egg roll. “Think you got enough food?”
“It’s his favorite,” Katherine explains, and I get that funny, fluttery feeling in my chest again. Like a dozen butterflies doing somersaults inside my ribcage.
“She spoils me.”
“We spoil each other.”
True.
There’s a beat of silence. Gabe stares at us like we’re a science fair project. Then he waves his fork, pointing from me to Katherine and back.
“How have you two never hooked up before now?”
21
GABE
They glance at each other, an entire conversation happening in the space between them. It’s interesting to be on the outside of such a close relationship. These days, Alex and I practically read each other’s minds.
The high-octane flick drones on in the background, but the real action is here, in Katherine’s bed. She looks edible in her fluffy white bathrobe, her damp hair pulled back in a loose braid.
Gah, how I’d love to sink my fingers into those lovely tresses again.
“It’s a long story,” Katherine answers.
“Complicated,” Kingston agrees.
I suppose the road to a relationship is often windy and sometimes convoluted.
Something obviously happened between the two of them that’s kept them from acting on what are super obvious feelings. I can feel the heat in Kingston’s gaze from here. But they don’t have to tell me if they don’t want to.
I change the subject, asking about King’s day.
“I had lunch with my sister?—”
“Mel?” Katherine asks.
He nods.
“She’s a twin,” Katherine tells me.
He fills us in on his lunch and what his siblings are up to, according to Mel. It’s nice to hear about a family that gets along so well and is obviously close. Thanks to Alex and his parents, the concept isn’t totally foreign to me, but I can’t imagine ever wanting to spend time with my siblings.
When we’re stuffed, Kingston puts the leftovers away and brings me another beer.
“Want a refill, Wildfire?”
Katherine shakes her head and cuddles into my side. I wrap my arm around her, pulling her closer. I’ve got some work I should finish, but right now, I can’t be bothered.
Kingston stretches out on her other side, hands resting on his stomach and ankles crossed, and makes a pleased sound. “So, how was it?”
He shoots me a questioning look over the top of Katherine’s head.
“It?”
“Chinese food in bed.”
“You might be onto something,” I admit. I’ll have an occasional coffee in bed, but going from dinner to cuddling without missing a beat is decadent.