Page 88 of Sit, Stay, Love
She put her hands on her hips and impatiently rolled her eyes, snatched a beer from his hand, took a long pull and burped. Then she picked up the premiere gift bag and shoved it at him, pressing it against his chest. ‘That’s for you.’ She plonked heavily onto his couch.
He peered inside the bag, muttered, ‘Thanks,’ put it on the floor and sat beside her.
She drew her legs up under her and curled into his side.
He slid his arm around her shoulder. ‘What’d James do?’
‘Ignored me. Completely ignored me. I barely saw him all night, outside of watching the movie, which was good by the way, we’ll have to go see it when it comes out.’ She took another gulp of beer. ‘I mean, I knew he’d be doing interviews, and I know it was an important night for him. Butheknew I wasn’t sure about going, and he promised we’d have fun. He even talked about it being our coming out or something. But he didn’t include me at all. He ignored me, and when I tried to join his conversation,he turned his back and blocked me out. As if I wasn’t even there. Then he vanished into the crowd, leaving me sitting like an overdressed wallflower under a neon sign yelling at me to dance, dance, dance.’
Toby’s lips twitched, and his body shook with a silent laugh.
‘Do not laugh! It was humiliating.’
‘Sorry. I’m just picturing you and that sign.’
She frowned and poked him in the belly. ‘I don’t know why he even invited me. I told him he shouldn’t. I was by myself the whole night, except for about thirty seconds when he told this super-hot girl named Jaz that I was Sera, the girl who is helping him prep for his next role.Helping him prep!’
Toby nodded. ‘Total dick move. Though, that’s what you’re doing, aren’t you?’
‘Yes, but there’s also the kissing.’
‘Right. How could I forget the kissing?’ He rubbed his brow.
She sighed deeply. ‘I felt like such an idiot, Herriot. All I could think about was how much time I’d wasted fretting. Being all nervous, borrowing a dress. Praying I didn’t embarrass him.God.I should have been home here with you, eating pizza and watchingDie Hardfor the four hundred and eighty-sixth time.’
‘Four hundred and eighty-seventh.’
She smiled and shoved him playfully, then rested her head against his shoulder and sighed out a long breath. ‘You always make me feel better.’
He threaded their fingers and rested his head on hers. ‘It’s my life mission.’
They sat pressed into each other in silence, his thumb tenderly caressing her skin, drifting back and forth, her anger floating away with each gentle stroke, so light it made her breathe out a tiny sigh.
Her pulse stuttered in her ears. It felt so good. He felt so good. Warm and solid. Steady and reliable. Real. He always made her feel wanted and loved. It never mattered if he was busy or tired. He made time for her, just as shealwayswanted to make time for him. And he was gorgeous.And funny. And smart. And kind. And he smelled so good. And why was it again they were only friends? They were great together. They were perfect.
She squeezed her hand tighter around his and wiggled in closer, almost crawling into his lap as she leaned heavily against his chest. She could hear his heart beating, feeling it as it softly thumped against her cheek. Fast like hers.
When her phone rang, she nearly jumped out of her skin.
She let go of Toby, sat up and frowned at the screen. It was Ethan.
‘I don’t want to talk to him.’
‘Do you want me to talk to him for you?’
She mashed her lips together and nodded.
He pressed speakerphone and said, ‘She doesn’t want to talk to you, James.’
There was a beat of silence, then, ‘Put her on, doc.’
‘I said she doesn’t want to talk to you,’ he growled.
Ethan took another beat. ‘Then will you tell her I called? Tell her I’m sorry. I’m an idiot. Tell her I’m crazy about her, she’s all I can think of, and I’ll call her tomorrow. Will you—’
Ethan’s voice was cut off mid-sentence as Toby pressed end. He glanced up at Sera through a curtain of floppy curls and shrugged a shoulder, his mouth lifting into a resigned smile.
She sighed and patted his thigh. ‘I should probably go home. I’m sorry to pull you into my drama.’
