Page 79 of Connected By Stars
He leans down and whispers in my ear. “Better get some fuel in you then. You’re going to need it later.” He winks at me and hands me a plate.
I decide to play with fire once again. “Is that a promise?”
His eyes get a wicked gleam in them. “It’s a fact.” My body, still reeling from the kiss moments ago, reacts to his words. It must show on my face because he laughs softly, knowing that he got to me. He loads up his plate and joins Sophia at the table.
I take a sip of my chilled white wine to soothe the heat coursing through me before making my plate and joining them.
“Did you two get it out of your system so you can act like normal adults now?” Sophia asks, taking a bite of a roll.
“It’s no way near out of my system, but it will do for now,”Maverick laughs. “Guess who came into work today?” He asks, changing the subject.
“Who?” I ask, taking the chopsticks out of the wrapper.
“Logan and Sara. They haven’t left each other’s side since the wedding. They looked really happy together.” He spears a spicy tuna roll and dips it into the spicy mayo before taking a bite.
“Awe, I love hearing that. I felt really bad on our date, and I’m glad he found someone.”
“I even apologized to him for being a jealous ass that day in the shop.”
“You were an ass that day. I remember Bella coming home pissed at you,” Sophia laughs and takes a sip of her wine.
“Thank you for that added clarification. I think I’ve more than made it up to her.” He winks at me, and I start laughing.
“All is definitely forgiven.” I grin at him. Fidgeting with my chopsticks, I try and pick up a piece of sushi.
“Why don’t you just use a fork? You’ve been struggling with chopsticks since we were teenagers.” I look at Mav and grimace.
“It’s the whole experience of eating sushi.” I finally squeeze a piece, only to lose it in my soy sauce. Frustrated, I squeeze it again and make it to my mouth. “See, it’s much more fun than a fork.”
“We need to get those kid ones with the cute panda bears on the end that hold the chopsticks together for us,” Sophia says, working one between her sticks.
“Or you could just use a fork,” Maverick says, laughing and quickly eating another speared one.
We finish dinner and grab our wine before helping Sophia knock out a few more scrapbooks. I’m sprawled out next to Maverick on the floor, gluing the last pictures in the book I’m working on.
“Have you guys thought about how you’re going to tellNoah?” Sophia asks us, rubbing her glue stick on the back of a piece of artwork.
“They get home late next Saturday, so I was thinking maybe having them over for a game night on Sunday, and I say something like,Noah, can you pass me the guacamole? And by the way, I’m sleeping with your sister.” Mav laughs when I swat him.
“Yeah, you may want to work on that,” Sophia laughs.
I hear my phone ring and see Noah and Emma’s smiling faces appear. “They’re FaceTiming now. Oh my God! Everyone act normal.” I fix my hair and scoot further away from Mav, and he starts laughing.
“I don’t think they’ll be able to tell over the phone that you’re sleeping with Maverick.” Sophia giggles and scoots closer to me as I hit answer.
“Bella!” I see Emma’s face appear next to Noah. She couldn’t look happier.
“Hi, Sis! We wanted to check in with you before our snorkeling trip today. How is everyone there?” Noah beams at me through the phone.
“We’re good. Everyone is fine. Nothing new going on here.” I can’t seem to stop rambling. Sophia nudges my shoulders to get me to shut up.
“Hey guys, it’s so good to see you. Are you having fun?” Sophia moves her head closer to me so they can see her.
“Hey, Soph. We’re having so much fun. You should see this place. It’s absolutely amazing here! Check out this room.” Emma turns the camera around and shows us the hut they’re staying in above the water. It has a huge king-size bed in the center of the room, overlooking the most turquoise water I’ve ever seen. The whole wall is open, giving you the most breathtaking view.
“Wow. It’s gorgeous. I can’t believe you get to stay there for two whole weeks.” I look at it in awe.
“It’s going to be so hard to leave, but I also miss all of you and Nala. How is she doing?” Emma asks, turning the phone camera back around.
