Page 132 of Wish You Were Mine
I shut my bedroom door before I could entertain any further thoughts.
Just as I started pacing, my phone buzzed.
Theo’s sister: Just pulled in. Coming up.
I texted her back:
Me: I left the door unlocked. Just come in. Less risk of being spotted that way.
Then I settled onto the couch, doing my best to give the impression of someone who looked cool and casual and definitely not like he was a complete ball of nerves.
A gust of cold air swept in as the door opened, and I looked over.
Then looked again.
“Are you wearing a wig?” I asked after Lucy stepped inside and shut the door, flipping the hood off her coat and revealing a cascade of glossy dark curls that definitely hadn’t been there at dinner.
“Thought it might be smart to show up in a disguise.” With a playful toss of her head, she asked, “Do you like it?”
I took her in, the unfamiliar look stealing my words for a second. She looked gorgeous—just different. Still her, but not.
“It’s cute,” I said honestly, then added with a half-smile, “but I think I prefer your natural hair.”
“Well, technically, my hair isn’t natural since I bleached it. So…” She raised a brow.
Crap.
“I, uh…” I cleared my throat. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”
“Don’t worry.” She laughed, shaking her head. “This is just the cheap wig I got for Halloween last year. I get what you meant.”
“Okay, good.” I exhaled. “Because honestly, you’re gorgeous no matter what you’re wearing. Or how your hair is done.”
Her gaze softened. “Thank you.”
“You were incredible today, by the way.” I stood, suddenly too restless to sit. “I didn’t really get to say it earlier, with your parents and Theo right there, but you honestly blew me away, Lucy.”
“Thanks.” Her smile spread, soft and a little bashful. “It really was a good meet.”
I hesitated, the urge to pull her into my arms suddenly tugging at me. But instead of doing that, I cleared my throat and asked, “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Let me guess.” She arched a brow, teasing. “Water or ice water?”
“Actually, I’ve upgraded.” I chuckled. “There’s sparkling water in the fridge now, too.”
“Oooh, fancy.”
“So…” I said, giving her a look. “What will it be?”
“Well, since the tall drink of water I was trying not to stare at in the crowd all afternoon doesn’t seem to be on the menu…” She smirked. “I guess I’ll go with ice water.”
She’d been staring at me during her meet?
The idea landed like a spark across my skin.
But trying to play it cool, I turned toward the kitchen and said, “Maybe we can do something about that tall drink of water a little later.”
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