Page 21 of North

I didn’t ask what she meant, just dug in. The rich chocolate melted on my tongue, and I let out a quiet hum of satisfaction. Say what you want about rich people, but their snacks were top-tier.

Summer watched me, lips curling. “Men are such assholes, right?”

I nearly choked on my bite. “What?”

She scooped another spoonful, licking it slowly. “One minute, North’s circling you like a wolf, the next, he’s pretending you don’t exist.”

I stabbed my spoon into the ice cream. “Yeah. Noticed that.”

“You pissed him off or something?”

I hesitated. Almost had sex with him. That’s what happened. But instead, I shrugged. “Maybe he just lost interest.”

Summer snorted. “North doesn’t lose interest. He’s just mad that you got to him.”

I blinked. “Got to him?”

“North likes control. And right now? He doesn’t have it.” She smirked. “Poor guy probably doesn’t know what to do with you.”

Something sharp and electric curled in my stomach. North, notorious for always being in control, was unraveling. Because of me.

Summer must have seen the shift in my expression because she laughed. “Oh, you’re gonna be dangerous, aren’t you?”

I licked my spoon, a grin slowly creeping across my lips. “Maybe.”

She reached into the pocket of her sleep shorts and pulled out a neatly rolled joint, wiggling it between her fingers. “Wanna be more dangerous?”

I raised a brow. “Seriously?”

She grinned. “Oh, come on. We’re already up, we’re already talking shit, might as well make it more fun.”

I hesitated for a second. Then, with a smirk, I plucked it from her fingers. “You make a convincing argument.”

Summer took a lighter from the counter, flicked it, and leaned in close to light the tip for me. The flame flickered in her brown eyes, making them look even warmer. I inhaled, the smoke filling my lungs, then exhaled slowly, watching the tendrils curl toward the ceiling. A light buzz settled in almost immediately, softening the edges of my frustration.

“Why are you up so late anyway?” I couldn’t help but ask, my lips already feeling numb.

Summer took the joint back, hitting it before passing it again. “Connor’s an idiot.”

I laughed, the sound a little looser than usual. “Oh, for sure. But isn’t he supposed to treat you differently because you’re his friend’s little sister?”

“I wish.” She groaned dramatically. “He has all the makings of a heartthrob if he’d just shut the hell up.”

I cackled. “Seriously. Every time he opens his mouth, I lose a little more respect for him.”

“Right? Like, stop talking. Just stand there and be pretty.”

We giggled into our spoons, eating more ice cream between hits, passing the joint back and forth until everything felt a little lighter.

Then Summer sighed, tapping her nails against the tub. “Honestly, though? He could be a good guy if he let himself.”

I glanced at her, noting the shift in her tone. “You like him?”

She made a face, wrinkling her nose, but it was clear to see how her eyes softened. Summer had feelings for her brother’s best friend.

“Oh,” I whispered, smirking slightly. “You really like him.”

She groaned, dragging a hand over her face. “Shut up.”

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