Page 74 of Rush

Broderick

El, WTF was that?

The message makes me squirm. I sip the coffee to mask my grin, the heat doing nothing to cool me down.

“Pancakes?” Riley asks, reaching for a mixing bowl.

“Yes, please,” I say, too brightly. As she hums and cracks eggs, I thumb a reply.

Elena

Whatever do you mean?

Still grinning, I switch over to my Notes app and type out what I now dubThe Rules of the Arrangement, take a screenshot, and send it to him.

Broderick

Boo. Buzzkill.

Elena

I’ve got something buzzing between my legs right now.

Broderick

If you’d stayed, I’d be between them right now.

Elena

Tempting, but better to leave you wanting.

“So, what happened with you and Broderick?”

I nearly choke on my coffee. It sputters down the wrong pipe as my eyes go wide.

Her jaw drops. “Oh, my God!” she shrieks, stopping mid-whisk.

“No—no, relax!” I cough, waving my hands. “Nothing happened last night.”

Which, technically, isn’t a lie.

My phone buzzes again.

Broderick

You’re playing a dangerous game, sweetheart.

Riley squints. “Did you guys talk at all?”

“Um…yeah,” I say, fumbling for casual. “He just wanted to tell me how good the show was.” Again—not a lie.

“Oh.” She sounds disappointed. “Better luck next time,Bradley.” Riley goes back to whisking, humming under her breath.

Elena

Sweetheart? There’s nothing sweet about me.

Broderick