Page 12 of Connected By Stars
“I’m so glad you talked me into these heels. I love the gold, and it goes with everything.” She looks down and admires them.
“I told you. Plus, we wear the same size, so I knew I could borrow them if you bought them.” I laugh and follow her out the door.
“That’s the best part when we shop. We’re the same size in clothes and shoes. It’s like we have a double wardrobe. When we get married, we’ll have to live close enough to each other so we can walk to each other’s closets.” She laughs and grabs her purse and phone.
“Definitely,” I grin. Maverick walks in, and I quickly wipe the grin off my face. He’s dressed in dark jeansand a dark grey dress shirt. He has the sleeves rolled up a bit and the first couple of buttons undone, exposing his tanned skin underneath. His hair is loose today, and I squeeze my hand shut, fighting the urge to run my hands through the silky waves. He meets my gaze, and my heart thumps hard in my chest. I see him swallow as he looks at me before breaking eye contact.
“You girls look beautiful,” he says, turning his head and smiling at Sophia.
“Thank you. You look handsome tonight, too, Mav. I love the new shirt.” Sophia hugs her brother and then pulls back, giving him a stern look. “You owe her an apology, Maverick Alexander. Make this right so we can all have a good time tonight. I’ll meet you guys in the jeep.” Before I can tell her to get back here, she’s out the door, leaving us alone. I glance at Maverick, and he looks very uncomfortable. I hear him sigh before his green eyes meet. I see the turmoil in them, and I lose some of my anger. He’s really upset over this.
“I’m sorry, Bell. You’re right. I shouldn’t have acted that way to what’s his name.” I narrow my eyes at him. “I mean Logan. I have no right to interfere like that. I’ve been a mess all day thinking about how I upset you. Can you forgive me?” He gives me a small smile showing those dimples, and I feel my walls go down.
“I forgive you.” I try not to smile but can’t help it. “I just don’t understand why you do it. You don’t get on Sophia this much when she talks to guys. Why me? You’ve been like this for months, years even.”
He rubs the back of his neck like it’s tight. “I wish I knew. All I know is that I don’t like it.”
“You don’t like it? That’s your answer?” I blink at him in surprise.
“Yeah, I don’t like it. It drives me completely mad when a guy tries to get with you.”
“Why, though?” I ask, needing an answer from him to try and understand.
“When I figure that out, you’ll be the first to know.” He mutters under his breath. “We better get going, or we’ll be late. Are we good?”
I study him, hoping to see something, anything, to what he is feeling. I still don’t understand what’s happening, but I guess that makes two of us. “We’re good.”
“Good.” He opens the door and gestures with his hand. “After you.”
“You drive me crazy most of the time, you know that?” I laugh and shake my head.
“I could say the same about you,” he murmurs. I walk by him, and he bends down to whisper in my ear.
“You really do look beautiful tonight.” His breath warms my skin and sends shivers down my body. I look up and meet his eyes, catching a glimpse of something that I’ve longed to see for so many years. My breath catches in my throat, and he quickly looks away before I can question it further.
“Thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.” I try to see if I can see it again, but he won’t make eye contact with me. Sighing, I walk outside and hear him shut the door behind me. Taking a deep breath, I try and steady my nerves. I know what I saw. I couldn’t have imagined it. I’d know that look anywhere because it’s the same one I hide from him, so he won’t know how badly I want him. Could he feel the same and is trying to hide it from me? Could I have been wrong all this time? Is his attitude toward me and other guys because he’s jealous and not just being a protective older brother? Based on our earlier conversation, I don’t think he even realizes that if it’s true.
He opens the door for me, and I climb into the front seat and buckle myself in.
“You guys good now?” Sophia asks from the back seat.
Maverick laughs and starts the engine. “Yeah, we’re good. I apologized for being an ass.” He gives me a wink.
“Thank you. Now we can all have fun this weekend. I’m so excited!”
I tune out Sophia as she talks about this weekend. I’m so wrapped up in my thoughts to concentrate on what she’s saying. When did he start noticing me? Should I have made a move sooner? Why hasn’t he made a move? I bite my bottom lip deep in thought as these questions go through my mind. I glance at Maverick, and he’s looking at me. His eyes go to my lips before returning to the road. I see him grip the steering wheel tighter.
Hmmmm. Wanting to test something, I slowly cross my legs, letting the hem of my dress ride up my thigh. I see him glance down at my legs before shooting up to the road again. His hands flex on the steering wheel as he grips it tighter. He’s fighting it too. I don’t know why he made me feel it was one-sided on Sunday night, but from his body language right now, we are on even playing fields and want the same thing. My heart beats against my chest at the realization.
“Bell, did you hear me?” Sophia taps my shoulder.
I turn around and look at her. “Sorry, what did you say?”
“I was just asking you what dresses you think she has in mind for us. I’m really hoping our bridesmaid dresses will be something sexy and chic.”
“Emma has great taste. I’m sure we’ll be happy with what she picks out. She already told us she wants our opinions too. I can’t wait to see her try on dresses.”
“She’s going to be such a beautiful bride,” Sophia sighs.
