Page 77 of Love Sick

“Mmm.” She narrows her eyes at Julian. “I think you’ve been keeping secrets.”

Julian scowls. “We work together. We study together. That’s it.”

Oh. Well, that’s one way to put it…

We’re friends too, Julian.

And why did he tell her about my dress? Ugh. I wish I didn’t know that confusing crumb of information. Something’s sparking in my chest.

“Then why were you trying to hide her?” Tori flings herself on Julian’s couch.

“This. This is why, Tor.” He turns to me. “I’m sorry. My sisters are nosy and she’s the worst of them. I forgot you were coming because she arrivedunannounced.” He shoots a pointed glare at Tori.

She shrugs. “You know I don’t plan ahead, BB. Besides, if I warned you, then I wouldn’t get the pleasure of witnessing things like this.” She pats the couch beside her. “You can still study. Don’t mind me.”

My uncertain gaze meets Julian’s.

He rubs a hand over his face. “We’ll study another time, okay? It’s better this way. Trust me.”

My head bobs as I fight a nagging sense of disappointment.

He must see it though, because he dips his head, examining me closely. “What is it?”

The heat in my cheeks stirs again. Why must it always do that? “Oh, it’s just, I—I made you new flashcards.”

His lips twitch, and he raises a hand to cover his mouth. Humor gleams in his eyes.

“What?” I squeeze my laptop to my chest, hugging tight.

“You. You’re just so—”

“Cute?” Tori laser-focuses on Julian. “Adorable? Sweet?”

Julian’s in full-on predator-staring-contest mode with me. The darkness sparkles. “Dorky.”

Chagrin courses through me in the form of a full-body blush, though I’m not sure what else I was expecting him to say in front of his sister. So why am I sweating? Why is he still staring? Why has my heartbeat decided to drop to my uterus?

How does this man wake every impulse I’d buried six feet under a gravestone etched with the wordsIce Queen?

My libido is rising up like a starving zombie, and I need to figure out how to master itsoon.

Hmm. I bet Julian could master it…

Ack! No!

My voice turns scratchy. “I think we’ve established we’re both dorks, but okay. I’ll go. You should visit with your sister. The flashcards can wait.”

“You really don’t have to go,” Tori says as I head to the door. “In fact, I insist you stay.”

“It’s fine. I’m tired, anyway. Long shift.”

“No, please stay.” Tori leaps up and grabs my arm. “We’ll watch Netflix. I’ll make Unicorn Blood. Everyone loves that, right?”

Unicorn Blood? A smile threatens, but I bite my lip.

Tori throws her hands up in victory. “Yes! She stays.” She grabs my laptop and flashcards, setting them on the table by the door, then takes my hands and leads me to the couch. Julian is subjected to the same manhandling. He’s placed directly beside me.

“Tori.” Julian’s voice holds a hint of threat.

---