Page 125 of Overtime
I can’t move.
My entire family glances between Aran and me. More than once.
Justin opens his big mouth and says, “Oh, so this is Maddie’s plus-one?”
And I open mine to say, “He’s not my anything.”
Something flashes in Aran’s face, but it’s gone so quick I can’t guess at what it was.
“Happy book launch day,” Aran says with that deep, naturally husky voice that feels like a luxurious fabric against my skin.
My legs twitch with the strongest urge to run again. Deep down, I know if I stay in his presence longer, I will fall in love with him all over again. Harder. Irreparably.
But my heart roots me to the spot, ready to get hurt again.
“Thank you,” I respond breathlessly, even though I’ve just walked out of the bathroom.
Aran’s eyes drink me in my fluttery dress that reaches my knees, my bare legs, and my wedge sandals. My toes are painted the same color as my earrings, and his eyes make the connection right away. In fact, when he sees my earrings, his lips curve ever so slightly. The movement would be imperceptible to someone who doesn’t know him or isn’t paying attention.
I fold my arms and almost say that yes, I even smell like strawberries. So what? I am cringe, but I am free!
“I brought you a gift,” he says, cutting through my thoughts, and lifts the box just a tad.
“Well?” Mom asks me, wagging her eyebrows from behind Aran. “Aren’t you going to take it, Maddie?”
I have a feeling that byit, she’s referring to the whole man. I couldn’t bring myself to tell her the minutia of the Aran saga, but she knows I have unreciprocated feelings for him, though she’s convinced they’re reciprocated. Captain of the ship, apparently.
Sighing, I propel myself forward. I keep my eyes on my pile of books by the corner of the table instead. He places the box in my hands when I extend them to him. One of his hands holds one of mine like he’s trying to steady it under a massive weight. Except the box is light, and his hand is so warm and soft, and my whole body flares to life.
As coolly as possible, I snatch my hand away. But the brush of our skin is like lighting a match. Pretty sure my face is flaming.
Clearing my throat, I take a seat. “Thank you for the gift. Would you like me to sign your book?”
“After you open the box.”
Ah, crud. I’ve made the mistake of looking up at him. Aran’s full attention is on me like there’s no one else on the entire planet. He doesn’t notice that my mother is about to squeal.
“Uh, okay.”
I hasten to untie the pretty bow. The sooner I look at the contents and sign the book, the sooner he’ll leave and this can all be over. I slide open the box’s lid and…
Inside, there’s half a dozen strawberries coated in milk chocolate and a note nestled between them. Aran motions at the note with his lips.
Breathing in deep, I grab it and unfold it. I recognize his handwriting right away. My heart starts hammering at full speed, even before I read the first word.
Strawberry,
I could never be the hero of one of your romance books, but if you give me a chance, I want to be the hero of your own life’s romance. Friendship isn’t enough. I want the whole bite, and you can bite me back (any time).
Yours,
Chocolate Bar.
I shock everyone by barking a laugh. That’s when I finally figure out why the strawberries are covered with chocolate, because the moment I saw his naked abs with my own eyes, I blurted out that they looked like a chocolate bar.
He’s—He’s saying he’s all over me. That I’m the strawberry to his chocolate.
I shock everyone by bursting into tears. Even him.
