Page 71 of Best I Never Had

Hayden, walk over hot coals and shards of glass for me.

The answer would always be,When and where, babe?

She wiggles her shoulders, smiling wide and shifting into the deep cushions as she cocoons herself around everything soft and plush. Her hand reaches over the back of the couch for a fuzzy throw blanket, and she drapes it over herself as she clicks the movie to start.

I avert my eyes away from her, focusing on the TV screen as the beginning credits ofLove Actuallyplay, people embracing in a crowded airport with Hugh Grant’s calming voice filling the room.

“You know,” she announces from under her covers, “I don’t think it would hurt for you to expand your exposure to chick flicks.”

I lift a brow, peeking at her over the rough plane of her blanket. “And how would I do that?”

“I don’t know,” she says in a muffled voice. “Maybe not be so repulsed by a light-hearted rom-com.”

“Right,” I answer, my voice monotone. “Because a guy pining for his best friend’s girl is the exact scenario I want to live.”

Her head lifts. “You’ve seen this?”

“Shh,” I answer, pretending to maintain my focus on the screen. “I can’t hear.” I vaguely point toward the screen as I smirk.

I hear her scoff. “What are you going to tell me next? ThatThe Devil Wears Pradais the best movie of all time and your favorite part is the fashion montage?”

“How did you know?” I peer over at her, my hand draped over the couch in her direction.

She rolls her eyes, poking her sock-covered toe at my thigh. “You’ve been holding out on me, Marshall.”

She sinks deeper, her head resting on a small throw pillow as her eyes heavily blink through the flashes of light coming off the screen.

With my hand hovering over her, resting against the thick cushions, it itches. It burns with the need to run along the valley where her waist dips and roam under the covered area hidden beneath her clothes only to confirm how warm and soft her bare skin is. My body vibrates with restraint while my hand stays fixed to the cushions as I sit quietly in my seat. Her on one end and me on the other, attempting to create as much space as I can on the couch that feels like a cramped cocoon rather than a love seat.

When the credits roll, putting an end to the nostalgic holiday movie that I watched multiple times with my mom, I peer over at Natalia. She’s fallen into a deep sleep. I can hear the light rumble of a snore every time she exhales through her nose with her hand resting under her cheek. It’s not too late, but it’s late enough that I should call it a night.

“Nat,” I whisper, gently rubbing hershoulder.

She stirs, her hand moving to bring the cover up to her closer, causing her to hide underneath it.

I smile.How is she this freaking adorable even when she’s sleeping?“Nat,” I whisper again.

“Hmm,” she groans.

“I’m going to go,” I say, my voice low and soothing.

She finally lowers the blanket, her sleep-ridden face and mussed hair peeking from the frayed edges. Her hooded eyes peer at me through her lashes and hair that’s come across her face like a sheer curtain. And I can’t help it. I move my hand to brush the hair out of her face while staring down at her. Her eyes blink open multiple times before she slowly rises, my hand still lightly resting on the side of her head before I pull away.

“Sorry,” she says, her hands coming to her cheeks to squish them together, causing her lips to pucker together like a fish.

“For what?”

“For falling asleep.”

I shake my head, refusing her apology. “It’s fine,” I answer hoarsely.

Because it was more than just fine, it was ideal. I’m slowly learning that I need these moments where she has her guard completely down, letting me know that her trust in me won’t waver. It’s the only thing I can cling to when I’m unsure of so much between us.

She sits up, the blanket dropping as she brings her hands above her head, stretching while working through a full yawn. “What time is it?”

“About ten past eleven,” I answer. “It’s not that late.”

She nods, shifting in her seat as she focuses her gaze downward on her fuzzy socks and starts chewing on her lower lip.

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