Page 26 of Every Thought Taken

I agree far too soon and learn a little too late Helena has other ideas.

“Please, Ander,” she begs, hands slapped together beneath her chin. “Pretty please with Sno-Caps on top.”

My eyes lock on the package on the vanity and lose focus while my mind conjures up some way to say no. To shut down this idea. Tell her it is toogirly. That I don’t need to—my vision clears—exfoliate and hydrate and nourish my face.

But when I lift my gaze to hers, the argument on my tongue fizzles out.

Hope brightens the lighter part of her green eyes. A soft pout pushes out her lips. And with each passing second, that pout transitions into my favorite sight. Her smile. My heart rattles in my rib cage and I swallow at the odd carbonated sensation in my chest.

“Ugh.” I tip my head back and sigh. “Fine.”

“Yes,” she says with too much enthusiasm. She balls her hands into loose fists and bops her head side to side while the rest of her does some type of jig.

“But…” I hold up a finger and she stops dancing. “This will not be a regular thing.”

She playfully shoves my shoulder. “Whatever.” Swiping up the package, she tears it open. “Just wait. When you peel it off, you’ll change your mind.”

I roll my eyes. “Seriously doubt it.”

The next few minutes are spent with me on the toilet seat lid while she applies the mask. Eyes closed, I focus on her touch. The light graze of her fingertips as she pats and shifts the semi-stretchy material. The warmth and tingle from her touch as she presses the seams around my mouth. My fingers twitch in my lap when her breath caresses my exposed skin.

“There,” she whispers and I open my eyes. Inches away, she licks her lips and swallows. “All done.”

God, I want to reach out and touch her. Rest my hands on her hips and pull her closer. Band my arms around her waist and kiss her.

But I won’t.

Reading signals isn’t my forte. Definitely a skill I have screwed up more often than not.

Helena’s proximity is probably one-hundred-percent innocent. A closeness shared between friends. Best friends. Her feeling something for me is natural but undoubtedly platonic. If I open my mouth and spew warm and fuzzy declarations, I will scare her. Push away the best person I know. Ruin the only true connection I have in my life.

I may be enamored with Helena Williams, but I won’t break us with immature words of juvenile adoration.

With a slight upward curve of my lips, I say, “Thanks.”

She blinks a few times and nods.

I break eye contact and look at the other mask on the counter. “Need help with yours?”

Stammering back, her hands wriggle at her sides. Thumbs moving restlessly over her curled-in fingers. She shakes her head and steps farther away. “No,” she croaks out then clears her throat. “No,” she repeats with more confidence. “But you should watch.” A brow quirks up as this devilish smirk lights her face. “Then we can do our own together next time.”

I rise from the toilet and inch closer to her. “Hey,” I say, leaning a hip against the counter. “I said this won’t be a regular thing.”

The tension from seconds ago fades to the background as her smirk softens into a smile. She rips open her mask and pulls it out. I watch her every move as she prepares it for application. Then she lines it up on her face and presses down on her forehead, the apple of her cheeks, nose, and chin. Once those places stick, she goes about setting the rest of the mask.

Once finished, she twists to face me and I can’t help but chuckle. “We look like aliens.”

A wicked grin plumps her cheeks.

I point at her face. “Uh… what the heck is that?”

“Be right back.”

Before I get the chance to ask anything else, she exits the bathroom and dashes down the hallway. I creep toward the door and peek around the corner. Thankfully, no one else is home right now. Ales is with Mags at her dance class. Mom and Dad are at work. So I am less concerned about anyone seeing me in full facial mode.

Helena waltzes back down the hall. My gaze falls to her hand and I freeze.

“No.” I hold up both hands and vehemently shake my head. “Nuh-uh. Nope. Absolutely not.” I spin around, give her my back, and dash down the hall.

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