Page 97 of The Forever Play

“I…” Before I can even reply, he moves into my space, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close. To say I feel kind of vulnerable in my skimpy shoestring pajama top is an understatement. I pull the neckline up to cover my boobs a little better and rest my hand on his chest, lightly pushing him away.

He doesn’t seem to notice. He’s too busy staring down at my face while I try to avoid direct eye contact. “I really missed you too. I know I’m going to hate every awaygame. I mean, I was even wondering if I can arrange for you guys to come next time, you know?”

“I… um… I wouldn’t want to disrupt your routine. Or Zoey’s,” I quickly add, lightly nudging him back. “Is the pancake ready to flip?”

He glances over his shoulder. “Not quite yet.”

My subtle attempts to get him off me aren’t working, and I force another smile, wishing he’d let me go but not wanting to hurt his feelings either.

Ugh. The look on his face right now.

He seriously did miss me, and I’m suddenly super worried that it’s in a very different way than I will ever miss him.

“Russell…” I let out a breath.

“Sienna,” he whispers, leaning in like he’s going to kiss me.

“Pancake!” I jerk away from him, lurching out of his arms and grabbing the spatula off the bench. “It’s ready for flipping.” My voice is high, my laughter deranged as I shove the spatula under the pancake and totally break it.

“It’s not quite ready.” Russell leans in behind me, wrapping his fingers around mine and helping me flip it.

Shit. This is bad.

You need to say something!

His breath skims my neck, and I lean away from him, glancing over my shoulder and inwardly shuddering at the affectionate glint in his eye. Until his eyebrows pucker and he reaches for my pajama top.

I slap my hand over the neckline, but he flicks my fingers away, hooking his finger into the fabric and pulling it to the side.

“What’s that?” He slowly spins me around so he canlook at my skin. “Is that…?” His lips flatline, his eyes hardening as he stares at the top of my breast, obviously confused. “Is that a hickey?”

“Um.” I glance down at Zander’s mark and quickly cover it back up.

“Who gave you a hickey?”

“What’s hickee?” Zoey wanders into the room with a plastic elephant in one hand and a curious look on her face.

“Uh… nothing.” I jerk my eyes to Russell, who glares right back at me. “Does Mr. Elephant need a friend?” I point at the toy in her hand. “Why don’t you see if you can line up five animals for me?” I hold up my hand, wiggling my fingers and desperately trying to buy myself some time.

Zoey looks at her fingers and wiggles them, then nods. “Five amimals. ’Kay.” With a little skip, she hurries back to her toys and gets to work.

She’s still only just learning to count, so it might take her a minute. That’s all I can hope.

“Russell.” I turn to my roommate.

He’s standing at the stove, smacking the first pancake onto the plate with a growl. “Who gave you that, Sienna?”

“Look, I planned to talk to you about this today.”

“Sienna, who?” He spins, his agitated glare making me shrink away from him.

I look to the floor and softly mumble, “Zander.”

There’s an awful, ugly pause that makes my skin prickle before he seethes, “What?”

Clearing my throat, I lift my chin and try to appear braver than I feel. I knew he was going to hate this, buthis expression right now is making me queasy. “Zander and I worked things out.”

“What the fuck?” His anger is being overridden by this horrified confusion. “You can’t be serious.”

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