Page 294 of Small Town Firsts

Which is insane, because I’m still not sure he’s not playing some sick, twisted game with me.

“It’s okay,” I mumble the words against his chest, secretly loving the way the hard planes of his body feel pressed against mine.

What is wrong with me?

Eventually, Sterling pulls away from me. “Truly, I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. I-I overreacted.”

His gray eyes flash with some unknown, fleeting emotion. “I’ll be more careful, okay?”

I try to smile, but then, a thought pops to the forefront of my mind. “Hey, Sterling... how did you get my number?”

“A magician never reveals his tricks.” He winks.

“Sterling—” I press, but Zach walks up and interrupts.

“You gonna introduce me to your friend, Emmy?”

“Oh, um.” His request flusters me, because I know that he knows exactly whose arms I was just in. “This is... um...”

“Sterling Abbot,” he says, reaching past me to shake Zach’s hand. “And you are?” There’s an edge to Sterling’s voice I don’t fully understand. If he were anyone else, I would call it jealousy. But that’s preposterous.

“Zach Williams.” He clasps Sterling’s hand in his own, unflinchingly.

“Well, Zach Williams, tell me, how do you know my girl?”

A whole swarm of butterflies take flight within me.

No! Stop it! You aren’t his anything, much less his girl.

I open my mouth to tell him just that, but he wraps an arm around my waist and hauls me into his side.

“We’re old friends,” Zach murmurs cryptically, not giving an inch.

Sterling’s chiseled jaw clenches. “As long as you’re only friends.”

Finally, Zach cracks, and laughter pours from him. “Drop your club, caveman. I’d be more likely to go for you than Emmy. You know, if I weren’t already in a committed relationship.”

“Oh my God, Emmy!” Stella squeals as she stumbles into our little bubble of testosterone and awkwardness, effectively popping it. “You have to come play—oh, hello there.” She drags her glimmering gaze over him, eagerly noting his possessive hold on me. “You must be Sterling.”

As soon as she speaks, I want the ground to open up and swallow me whole. Now he knows I’ve talked about him to her. How mortifying.

“In the flesh.”

“I’m Stella, Emmy’s suitemate.” Her eyes dart down from his to where our bodies touch. “What’s up with this?” she asks, gesturing vaguely toward us.

“Just a little show of masculine prowess,” Zach replies, his voice full of humor.

“Well, whatever. I’m hungry.”

“Grill’s this way.” Zach nods his head, signaling us to follow him.

“Are you hungry?” I ask Sterling.

He drags his teeth over his lower lip as he regards me. “Sure.”

“Okay.” I chuckle nervously. “Um, I think they have burgers and stuff.”

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