Page 50 of Petals and Plot Twists
“Exactly. He told me he’d stop the flirting.”
I wait to see how she’ll respond, if she’ll protest against the idea of her neighbor thinking we’re together.
But she doesn’t respond at all. Instead, her breathing settles and falls into an easy, peaceful rhythm.
It’s funny. As much as I was struggling to fall asleep before, with Sophie beside me, it’s only a matter of minutes before I drift off as well.
Chapter Seventeen
Sophie
It takesme a minute to figure out what, exactly, is going on when I wake up on Friday morning.
Because Peter is in my bed.
Sound asleep. One arm thrown over his head. Bare, muscular chest on full display.
What’s more, I didn’t just wake upbesidePeter. I woke up practicallyon him.One arm draped over his chest. One leg hooked over his leg. Head pressed against his chest.
I slowly inch away, not wanting to wake him up, but needing to get away from how deliciously manly he smells long enough to gather my wits about me.
I didaskPeter to stay with me last night. After the whole Reggie thing happened, I’m pretty sure I would have had a panic attack had Inotasked him to stay.
But now, in the clear morning light streaming in through the curtains, having Peter in my bed feels like a much bigger deal.
Also,whendid he get those pectoral muscles?
I slowly lift the covers and glance down at my own wardrobe. Pajama pants. Enormous t-shirt. At least I have that much going for me. I’ve been known to lose the pajama pants and sleep in my underwear when I get too hot, so I guess I should be grateful it was a relatively cool night.
Once I make it to the edge of the bed, I shimmy off, landing on my feet with a grace and silence a cat would envy, then slowly tiptoe around the bottom of the bed and toward the bedroom door.
I look back at Peter, who is still sleeping soundly, his dark lashes fanned across his cheeks. A surge of affection for him pushes through my chest. But it isn’t justfriendaffection. There’s something else here. Something bigger.
I swallow against the sudden dryness in my throat.
I’ve been trying so hard to fight the idea. To resist. Because I have to resist. Because I really,reallydon’t want to lose Peter.
I’ve been ignoring the signs. The little flutters of feeling. The new chemistry sparking between us. But I can’t ignore them anymore. Not after last night. Not after lying in his arms and feeling every inch of my soul relax. I needed him last night, but I also craved his company in a way that was new and strange and exhilarating.
I like him.
Likelike him.
My heart starts pounding.
What is happening to me?
And what am I supposed to do now?
Peter sleeps for another half-hour before he appears in the kitchen.
“Hey,” he says, his voice scratchy from sleep.
I startle, my phone flying into the air before it crashes back onto the table. I grab it, checking the screen to make sure it’s okay, then set it face down in front of me. “Hey. You’re awake.”
“You okay?” Peter asks, eyeing me with confusion.
“Yep. Just doing the crossword puzzle. You startled me.”
