Page 6 of The Four Leaf

Her nose scrunches up like a little mouse. “My ass. There are plenty of other cushions to choose from.”

I lower my gaze, unable to control the lust from seeping into my words. This is becoming harder than I realized to keep myself in check around her. “It’s mine now, Bambi.”

Her throat bobs with a thick swallow before she regains some type of composure. That’s when a sexy, defiant type of smirk lifts one side of her lips. “If you think you have a right to claim it, by all means, you can have it.”

Now it’s my turn to be surprised. My pulse increases as she spins on her heels and exits the bathroom. My every instinct is to grab her, throw her on the bed and claim her now, but the heavy truth of why I don’t, anchors my feet in place.

No matter how much we tread the line, it’s better this way. Safer. Because the illusion of the possibility is better than knowing the truth–I can never have her. Not in the ways I want.

But as hard as it is, it’s okay. Her friendship is worth more. Her genuine love and support are more than enough. I’m lucky to have her in my life at all, let alone being my closest friend.

“Hurry up and come down when you’re done. I’ll need saving from Willow,” Sam says over her shoulder.

Forcing my eyes on the paper she left behind, I chuckle nonchalantly. “That’ll cost you a buddy shot.”

Her laugh echoes down the hallway with words I never thought I’d hear. “Yes, sir. Whatever you say.”

Oh, Bambi. If only.

What the hell was that about?

Heading to the room at the end of the hallway, I fail for the third time to control my racing heart. Adrian and I have always been close, and very comfortable with each other. There have been countless times we’ve laid on each other’s laps, gotten changed in the same room, and hell, even slept in the same bed. And while all those occasions have been borderline torturous to both my heart and libido, never have we crossed the line intoclearflirting.

I wouldn’t even call that flirting. Honestly, it was more like ripping our clothes off and finally giving in to a feeling we both have always wanted. Both. Plural. Not just me. For a moment, I felt crazy, like I was imagining him coming on to me, but then there was only validation.

There was no question there was a shift in the air. The tension was so thick, it was hard to breathe through it. The desire in his eyes was so undeniable, I could guarantee that if I kissed him, it would have finally led to something.

But I didn’t–Icouldn’t–because somewhere deep down, I’m scared. Scared of foregoing his friendship and what we have. Andnothingis worth losing that. Not even proving to myself it isn’t all in my head.

I unlock the door we use as a spare room. Willow and I pass out here occasionally when we work too late, or we happen to get too drunk after a long night of celebrating Adrian’s recent victory. The locals always convince us to play a game where we have a shot every time he scores or sip a drink when he knocks a guy on his ass.

Naturally, we always end up completely hammered.

Inside, I hop in the shower and change into some of the spare clothes we leave here. I ignore the fact that I grab a black lace bra and matching panties, then quickly get myself together before rushing downstairs.

Willow called and said she was slightly overwhelmed and needed the barbacks to start taking orders, which means I need to fill in for them. One thing I’ve learned is while I’m great at fixing average maintenance issues, I am the worst bartender alive.

Ninety percent of the drinks I make will either have you drunk on the first sip or wondering if there is any alcohol in it at all.

When I make it back downstairs, I’m much calmer. My mind is finally clear of the fog and I’m able to focus on the massive amount of bodies in the pub.

I mentally send energy into the air that no fire marshals decide to pay us a visit as I excuse myself through the crowd. At the bar, my sister is rushing around behind it while her three barbacks cash people out.

She nods at me while pouring a round of shots. “We need clean glasses, bottles restocked, and the ice bin refilled.”

I narrow my eyes and tilt my head.

Willow groans as she slams down her bottle and slides the small glasses toward waiting hands. “Alright, sorry about what I said earlier. Can you please help your big sister out?”

I purse my lips, half inclined to make her grovel a little more, but decide not to push my luck. She’ll only retaliate later, and with Adrian staying for a while this time, I don’t want to make things more awkward than they need to be.

Still, I have to ask one thing before agreeing to be an errand girl. “Did you tell Adrian where I was?”

She smirks, accepting a hundred-dollar bill from the young patron. “Answer this first. Why are you fresh out of the shower?”

My mouth pops open, a blush burning up my neck. “Because I got dirty from the damn vent closet on third. You know we need to get it cleaned.”

“And there isn’t any other reason?”

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