Page 81 of Fun Together
He chuckles. “Thank you.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You’re understandably upset. It’s tough seeing your ex with someone new.”
“I just feel so terrible. I’m an idiot.”
“You’re not an idiot.”
I pull away slightly, but keep my arms wrapped around him. Eli is a good man, too. And it feels good being in his arms.It feels good being in his lap.
What the fuck? I am in Eli’s lap.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asks.
“Like what?”
“Like you’ve just awoken from a coma and don’t remember who I am.”
I laugh. “I was just thinking I’m happy you’re here. And also, that I’m sitting in your lap.”
He smiles and says, “I’m happy you’re sitting in my lap, too.”
I snort, but it comes out as a sniffle. I lift my head up and we hold eye contact for a few seconds, smiling softly at each other. It feels like my heart is running a marathon in my chest. I was just crying in this man’s arms over a failed relationship with another man. Another man who happens to be his best friend.
And then we stop smiling. “Are you okay?” he whispers.
I nod my head and lick my lips that suddenly feel very dry. The motion causes him to look at my mouth. Then he licks his lips, causing me to look at his mouth. I want so badly to kiss him, and I wonder if he wants to kiss me, too.
My phone buzzes. “Sorry, it’s Rett.”I answer, “Hey, are you okay?”
“I’ll explain later, but it’s my grandma. I’m heading back home tonight.”
“I’m so sorry, is there anything I can do?”
“I don’t think so. Are you able to get a ride? I hate that I abandoned you.”
I meet Eli’s eyes. “It’s okay. Eli can take me home.”
25
Eli
I’ve gotto get it together.
Faye was just breaking down over another guy—one of my oldest friends—and here I am, unable to stop thinking about kissing her. The entire drive to her apartment has been silent, and for once in my life, I don’t try to fill it with idle chatter.
It’s simple. I will walk her to her door and go home. I will push all thoughts of kissing her out of my head. Before she got that call from Rett, the air inside that photobooth was charged with something that I don’t think either of us have chosen to acknowledge yet.
What if we did acknowledge it, though? I felt closer to her tonight while we were dancing, not just physically, but it felt like she relaxed into me—letting me in for the first time.
I glance over at her and she’s looking out the window. Some of her hair has fallen out of her bun, and it trails down the side of her neck. I want to reach over and brush it behind her shoulder or tuck it back into her hair. I want to take her hair down and run my fingers through it.
Upstairs.
Leave.
No kissing.
