Page 64 of Girls Will Be Girls
“You didn’t have to do that.” He smiles, almost sadly.
I look up into his stormy eyes, offering him a small smile. “I wanted to.”
Lou strokes his fingers along the front strand of my hair, his knuckles touching my cheek. “Why?”
I study his face. His gorgeous, stupid face. “He was just theworst.”
Lou laughs. A real laugh.
“I honestly hate him,” I add on. “He makes me want to wrap you in bubble wrap and then use your marshmallow body to hit him repeatedly.”
“That’s… Incredibly specific.” He says. “Not gonna lie, that pleases me.” He grins.
“As we both know, that is my specialty,” I say.
He quirks an eyebrow playfully. “Pleasing me?”
I roll my eyes. “Pleasing everyone.” I correct.
His hand finds mine, and he circles his thumb along my palm, making me feel like that must be the most sensitive part of the human body with the way my skin reacts, goosebumps racing up my arm.
“Mm.” He says in thought. “I’d prefer if it were me pleasing you.”
I feel my cheeks heat, my thighs clench a little, and the look in his eye is telling me he meant every word. I step even closer, our bodies up against each other.
“I could get on board with that,” I say quietly.
I watch as his jaw clenches. I hear the paper rustle in his hand as he squeezes it tighter into a fist. His tongue darts out, swiping his lower lip, and his eyes drop to my mouth, before his forehead falls to mine with a resigned exhale. He shakes his head against mine with a painful grin on his face.
“You’re killing me.” He laughs humorlessly.
“You started it,” I smirk.
He untangles us and takes a step back. “I’m having a tough time remembering why I’m making us wait. Remind me.” He grins.
I laugh. “Because you’re being all chivalrous and want to take me on a date first.”
“Because you don’t like muddling lines.”
“I don’t like muddling lines,” I repeat as if reminding myself.
“Okay. Got it.” He nods. “No making out.” He pauses, a playful smile spreading on his lips. “Yet.”
I roll my eyes at his cockiness, ignoring the fluttering in my stomach, and march on in front of him. I hear his chuckle as he follows, and his shoes on the gravel as he jogs up next to me.
“Come on, I know a good spot.” He says, leading me up a path that ends on top of a large flat boulder that seems to be hovering over the edge of the lake. I look out at the sun shimmering over the water. The wind rustles the trees in the distance, and birds still sing their morning songs around us as Lou stretches out on the rock.
“Croissant or scroll?” He says, taking them out and placing them both on top of the bags.
“I don’t mind.” I sit next to him, crossing my legs and taking a sip of my drink.
“Croissant,” He repeats, “or scroll?”
“Can you just-” I huff at him for always making me make a decision. “I don’t mind. Whichever is fine. I’d rather you just have the one you want.”
“Now you’re the one being very chivalrous, but I’m a big boy.” He smirks. “I can handle you having the one you want.”
“With that logic, I’m a big girl and can handle that too.”
