Page 44 of I Blame the Rival

Lacey jumps and I scold myself for not making my presence known.

“No, I was just looking.” Her eyes drop to the receipt in my hand and she gasps, “You didn’t have to do that!”

My shoulder lifts in a shrug, “I wanted to.”

“Well, thank you.” She blows out a breath before giving me a tentative smile, “Are we doing this?”

Glancing at the aging couch, it looks a lot smaller than it did a few minutes earlier. I had said our legs would overlap but I’m starting to think we might be a lot closer than I’d originally anticipated.

My eyes flick to hers and I find her watching me closely. I can’t tell if she wants me to back out or go through with this, so I decide to take the leap.

“Yeah.”

She nods, murmuring something to herself before walking over and sitting tentatively on the far side of the couch. I follow suit, taking the other side, and the worn material dips with my weight. My heart is in my throat when I pass Lacey her book, watching as she shifts around to make herself comfortable.

I must not have been thinking clearly because this love seat is clearly not big enough for two people. Especially when one of them has legs that go on for days.

A pink tinge hits Lacey’s cheeks when her long legs brush against mine, her earlier bravado completely disappearing when I shift and straddle them with my own. Praying that my body won’t react to her proximity, I meet her wide green eyes with a hesitant smile.

“Is this okay?”

She swallows, “Uh, yeah. It’s okay.”

I tear my gaze away from her blushing face and look down at the colourful book in my lap. There’s no way I’m going to be able to focus with Lacey’s legs wrapped around me, but I pick it up anyways.

It doesn’t take long for my suspicions to be confirmed. I stare at the words on the page as the minutes tick by, unable to think about anything except the weight of Lacey’s limbs pressing against mine.

Sneaking a glance in her direction, I find her completely engrossed in the book in front of her.

The pastel colour of the cover looks dainty in her hands, the bursts of yellow flowers on the front making me think of our sunshine tissues. I watch as she turns the page, her chipped nail polish a lighter purple than that of the cover, and marvel at the way she’s slipped away from reality right in front of my eyes.

Watching Lacey read reminds me of what it feels like to draw. The way the rest of the world fades away until all you can see is the ink on the page.

Laughter slips past her lips and I can only stare as she turns yet another page, completely oblivious to my presence. I wish I had my sketchbook with me so I could try and replicate the joy radiating from this moment.

“Oh my God. Skylar, you have to read this.” Giggling, she waves me over, “I would try and read it to you but it wouldn’t do it justice. Get over here.”

I drop my gaze, trying not to look like I just spent the last ten minutes staring at her. Swinging my legs off the couch, I take astep over to where Lacey is sitting. She pushes herself upright and pats the space beside her.

I slowly sit down but the dip in the cushion causes Lacey to fall against me. Her shoulders dig into my chest as she tilts sideways but the sharp impact isn’t the problem.

I freeze, feeling her hand land on my upper thigh as she catches herself, her fingertips grazing the edge of my crotch. I let out a sharp exhale and Lacey quickly turns her head.

“I’m so sorry, did I hurt you?”

Not trusting myself to speak, I shake my head. Big green eyes stare at me, the few inches between us not helping the situation below.

“Skylar? Why aren’t you saying anything?”

I blow out a breath, “Can you move your hand?”

“Huh?”

“Your hand.” Gritting my teeth, I squeeze my eyes shut, “I need you to move it.”

Finally, the teasing pressure leaves my body and I breathe a sigh of relief. Muffled giggles float towards me and I peel one eye open to see Lacey covering her mouth with her hand.

“Having fun, are you?”

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