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impression of a stubble cheek pressing against mine and the faint smell of cigarettes lingering on his
skin. I don’t really remember his arms or the sensation of being squeezed, but I guess it was a hug.
Those moments were nothing like this.
Nothing about this experience is vague. I’m too aware of the strong legs supporting me. And of the
warmth of his body. He probably has to kick his blankets off at night just to cool down. He’s so hot.
Ha, that’s funny. I’m a comedian.Snorting out a laugh, I try to come up with a plan to extract
myself from the bizarre position I’m in. This one, though, it’s not my fault. I didn’t screw up and put
myself in yet another awkward spot. No, this one was all Colton, and that makes me feel infinitely
better.
The last hour has been a complete revelation. If this is what all families are like, I’ve been
missing out. But all the lines I thought I had drawn around me and this family have been completely
blown up, and I don’t know how to find my footing again. Once you’ve seen your boss flip out and try
to swim his way across a concrete floor, can you really go back to professional distance?
I’ve gotten a glimpse behind the curtain, and I want another. I want to know more. And that’s
terrifying. I’m getting sucked into this group way too easily.
Panic bubbling in my stomach, I slowly, carefully lower my hand to the arm banded around my
waist. Gripping Zach’s thick wrist, I gently pull. He resists, arm tightening around me briefly, before
releasing me, his hands falling to dangle at his sides.
I clear my throat. “Would you look at the time?” I say, tapping my bare wrist.Dammit, why do I
keep doing that?“I’m about to turn into a pumpkin!” I say cheerily. My cheeks flush because I’m an
idiot, and I carefully ease off Zach’s lap. He doesn’t help me, he doesn’t touch me in any way until I
stumble to find my footing. Then his warm hand cups my elbow, steadying me. I flash him a wobbly
smile in thanks, but I’m not prepared for the look on his face. Something in his eyes freezes me in my
tracks. It’s gone quickly. I don’t have a chance to catalog it. To analyze it. But oh my god, do I want to.
No one has ever looked at me like that before, and while the little voice in my mind is trying to tear
me down, another voice tells me that look wasn’t negative.
Jonas gives me a curious look, then rises, moving away to who I assume is Mia’s mom. He hands
her over, then tucks the hamster close to his chest and heads for the elevator, nodding at the shouted
goodbyes as he leaves. The rest of the people at the table don’t seem to be paying us any attention,
and I’m thankful for it. Tucking my shoulders back, I throw on my imaginary cape and meet Zach’s
