Page 58 of Study Buddies

Lucas switched over to the movie and Jayden turned out the lamp on the end table. The room plunged into darkness since theopening credits of the movie consisted of silver lettering against a black expanse of space.

I smoothed out the hem of my dress, the silky fabric tickling my legs. The mini taco cups on the coffee table were within reach, but there was no way I’d risk spilling ground beef or salsa on this dress. It was rapidly becoming my favorite, and I’d never even worn it until last night.

The beginning of the movie was okay. Not totally my thing, but I guessed it was engaging enough. By the time the scientists on screen were starting to figure out that the shipboard computer had turned evil, I was so relaxed that I forgot there were two handsome men on either side of me—and a third one close by.

But then Lucas leaned in, speaking quietly. “Can I get you something else to drink?” Even in the dark, I could see his glance at the beer I’d barely touched.

I smiled to myself. Lucas always knew what I needed. “Some water would be great.” When he started to get up, I tugged on his sleeve. “I’ll come with you. I should put the rest of the taco cups in the fridge.” They’d each had a couple, and I silently thanked the shirtless chef who’d shown me how to make them.

“I’ll do it,” Lucas said softly. “Just relax and watch the movie.”

I squeezed his arm once before letting him go. He picked up the tray and disappeared into the kitchen.

Jayden took that opportunity to rest his feet on the coffee table. “Enjoying the movie?” he asked me.

“Yes.” The sofa shifted on my other side, and I wondered how Lucas had put the taco cups away so quickly. But then another pair of long legs swung up on the coffee table.

Kyle.

I turned to him. “Wow, you move fast.”

On my other side, Jayden snorted.

“You should see me run the bases,” Kyle said.

Actually—I kind of did want to see that. “Do you have any more games this season?”

“Just one. Sunday afternoon.” He angled his head at me. “Want to come?”

“Sure.”

“Great,” he said, after a brief pause. I had the sense that my answer had surprised him.

Suddenly, the thought of sitting in the stands alone seemed, well, rather lonely. I turned to Jayden. “Can you come with me?”

“Of course.” His answer came quickly and easily, though it probably wouldn’t have if Lucas had been in the room.

Lucas appeared a moment later, stopping dead when he saw Kyle next to me. I felt guilty, but Lucas didn’t say anything as he moved around the coffee table to Jayden’s side before setting the glass of water in front of me.

“Want to sit here?” Jayden asked, but Lucas shook his head and settled the armchair opposite the one that Kyle had sat in.

My eyes were on the screen as I tried to catch up on the plot, but it was very hard to ignore the men on either side of me. They were both sitting close, and they both had their long legs stretched out in front of them, their feet crossed on the coffee table. It felt like their bodies surrounded mine… and I kind of liked it.

I slipped off my shoes and tried to put my feet up on the coffee table too… only they didn’t reach. Kyle chuckled as even my pointed toes failed to reach.

“Lean forward,” Jayden whispered. Once I did, he slid a thick pillow behind my back, and that moved me six inches closer. Before I could try again to put my feet up, Kyle yanked the coffee table closer.

Problem solved.

“Thanks,” I whispered to both of them. My bare feet looked very small between theirs, and the pink toenail polish seemed to give off a soft glow.

I wondered if either Kyle or Jayden had noticed my smooth legs and painted nails, but I didn’t glance in either direction to find out.

Just as I relaxed back against the pillow, I realized that the hem of my dress had ridden up on my thighs when I scooted forward. Not scandalously so, but still, I clamped my hand down on it automatically. When I tugged it down, it stayed that way on the right side but somehow stretched and bounced back on the left. The side Kyle was on.

Uh-oh. Now it was pretty high on my thigh, not that far from the edge of my panties. With a touch of panic, I tried to smooth it down but somehow my hand slid right past the hem, and all I managed to do was to stroke my own thigh.

Which wasnotwhat I’d meant to do.

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