Page 44 of The Risk Taker

“Right?” I ask, my heart knocking against my chest the longer he doesn’t speak.

Finally, Nathan swallows and nods once. “Right.”

I nod too, because… yep. Exactly as I thought. This is good. Great, even.

Except my chest feels tight, and I’m wondering why the fuck I’m standing here hoping he would give me a different answer.

I force a grin and elbow him lightly. “Permission to make a dick joke?”

Nathan huffs out a quiet laugh. “You’re an idiot.”

I smile as we make our way toward the other guys, happy that we got past the awkward shit and balance is restored.

Sort of.

I follow him, the sound of Austin’s voice getting louder as we approach him.

Isabella’s not on stage with him anymore, though. He has an arm looped around Maisie’s waist as they singRight Here, Right Nowfrom High School Musical.

I loved those movies growing up, so hell yeah, I recognize it immediately.

I may or may not have tried to learn a few of the dance routines.

We don’t need to unpack that.

Maisie’s shaking her head, blushing like crazy, but her boyfriend’s not the least bit embarrassed as he practically serenades his girlfriend on stage.

“Poor girl,” I say, dropping onto the chair next to Ryan. “He roped her into singing with him.”

Ryan lets out a scoff. “She’s smiling like crazy.”

“She’s embarrassed,” I insist, nodding toward the stage. “That is a please-for-the-love-of-God-make-him-stop smile.”

Ryan laughs under his breath, keeping his eyes on them. “That’s her I’m-in-love-with-him smile.”

I look back up just in time to see Austin spin her in a wide circle, nearly knocking over the mic stand. Maisie squeals, laughing so hard she can’t keep up with the lyrics. Austin doesn’t care. He’s looking at her as if she’s the only person in the room, like he’d make an idiot of himself a thousand times over just to keep that laugh on her face.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a love like that before.

Maisie’s bright red, giggling, and when the song ends, Austin takes a bow. Then, because he has zero sense of boundaries, he snakes a hand into her hair and kisses her—with tongue, by the way, which I can clearly fucking see from here.

Beside me, Nathan chuckles.

I lift my head at the sound and watch his shoulders relax and his lips tilt into a soft smile.

I look at him for a second too long, and of course he notices.

“What?” he asks, one brow lifting.

“Nothing,” I say, holding my hands up. “Just surprised you’re capable of joy.”

He rolls his eyes. “Very funny.”

“Oh, I know,” I say, placing my hand on my chest. “Thank you.”

He chuckles, but holds my gaze and neither of us look away.

It’s only for a few seconds, maybe even less, but it doesn’t stop my brain from heading somewhere it shouldn’t. I don’t know what the fuck’s going on with me, but these stupid thoughts I keep having about this guy need to stop.