Page 10 of Obligation
“Don’t,” she warned. “I’m fine. I promise.”
He released his hold on her and held up in hands in surrender. “Okay, I get it.”
That was the thing about Garrett—he got her. She didn’t have to say a lot for him to understand. He knew her expressions, her moods, when to push and when to back off. If only Danny knew her that well, maybe they wouldn’t be in such an unsteady place right now.
Downstairs, loud voices sounded, followed by a door swinging shut. “Sounds like they’re back,” Garrett said.
Carissa took a deep breath and plastered a smile on her face. Time to face Danny. A big part of her was truly excited to see him again, but she didn’t have the energy to argue with him, so she hoped he’d let everything go and just have a good time tonight.
The second she rounded the corner into the kitchen, Danny met her gaze. His deep, chocolate brown eyes warmed, and he rushed toward here. “There’s my girl.” He wrapped her in a tight hug, his face buried against her neck.
She wrapped her arms around him. His embrace was warm and comforting in a familiar way, but that uncontrollable tingling she’d felt last year, before everything went to hell, was missing. No overwhelming spark, no butterflies, no burning desire to find any excuse to be alone with him.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered.
“I missed you, too,” she said and meant it.
Danny eased back and captured her mouth in a kiss that was both insistent and sweet. Kissing him felt normal, as easy as breathing, but was that a good thing? She didn’t find herself moving closer for more. There was no dizzying effect, no fighting to catch her breath, no unsatiable craving to keep going.
“C’mon, you two. No one wants to see that,” Cory said, garnering laughs from Garrett and Tiffany.
Carissa used her brother’s ill-timed joke to pull away. She flipped him off, and Cory laughed, the sound filling the large space. “I definitely haven’t missed you,” she said, aiming her jab at her brother.
“Whatever.” Cory winked, and Carissa rolled her eyes.
Sometimes, having a twin was the worst.
“Hope you’re hungry. We grabbed pizza and enough snacks to feed twelve armies.” Danny took her hand, lacing their fingers.
“I’m starving,” Carissa said and rubbed her empty stomach. She hadn’t eaten much today. “So, what’re the plans for tonight?”
Garrett shrugged. “Our roommate has a massive collection of party games. We can play some of those or just chill and watch movies.”
“Where are these mysterious roommates of yours?” Tiffany took the paper plate Garrett held out to her, flipped open a pizza box, and flopped two slices onto her plate.
“Still sleeping.” Danny handed Carissa a plate.
“It’s after five,” Carissa said.
Danny shrugged. “I don’t know, but who cares. If they sleep all day, they’ll be easy to live with.” He gave Garrett a high five.
Carissa shook her head, grabbed three slices of gooey cheese and pepperoni pizza, and wiped her fingertips on her jeans. She could hear her mother’s voice in her head, scolding her for not using a napkin.
“Aw, thanks, sis.” Cory snatched the plate from her grasp.
“Hey!” She reached for him, but he dodged her hand and moved into the living room.
He picked up a slice of pizza and took a large bite, taunting her as he did. “Mmm, so good,” he said around a mouthful of food. “You should really get yourself some.”
“You know I’m going to kill you in your sleep, right?” she said and took another paper plate from the stack on the end of the kitchen island.
“Promises, promises.” He sank down into a chair and set his plate on the coffee table that he then proceeded to drag across the floor until it was closer to him. “Hey, waitress.” He snapped his fingers. “Drink.”
Carissa narrowed her eyes, but she silently went to the fridge and found a can of soda. She turned and hurled it at her brother. Tiffany gasped while Danny and Garrett laughed, their reaction only encouraging her more.
Cory caught the can and cursed. He set the can on the coffee table and gave her an incredulous look.
“Go on. Open it,” she taunted. “I dare you.”
