Page 19 of From Angel to Rogue

That was what she was.

A gorgeous, ethereal angel with hair so golden like a halo.

They were so silky and shiny that my fingers itched to thread through them. I didn’t know if I was more captivated by her hair, or beautiful face, or those sparkling green eyes.

I caught her watching methrice.

Even through that glaring kitchen window, I could see her, although she was blurry. I confirmed it was her the moment I entered my bedroom to the sight of her sitting cross-legged in a pile of dull red blankets, her tongue pressed to her upper lip as her hands fidgeted with some sort of string.

And I just stood there like a fool, staring before her shocked eyes found mine. The next ten minutes were probably the hardest of my life as I pretended to unpack my clothes. The entire time, I knew she was watching me.

“Band.” Her sweet voice brought my attention back to her. “My brother and his friends recently started a band, and they need one more member. Rock music. I think you should join them. You’re good.”

“No, thank you,” I said before I could stop myself.

A flush of red swept across her cheeks, and her eyes cast downward.

No.I wanted those eyes to look at me.

Why the hell did you sayno, thank you,Lan? I cursed myself. That was probably the last thing she wanted to hear.

No girl had ever made me feel so flustered that I had no idea what to say.

“What I meant is,” I started, and her eyes shyly peeked from beneath her lashes. “I’m not much for rock music. But I’ll… I’ll think about it.”

She nodded but didn’t say a thing.

I couldn’t help but creep my eyes over to her red dress, the shade of it was the same color as her bedsheets. I wonder if red was her favorite color.

“Umm, why are you here?” I asked, and it came out sharper and more blunt than I intended. Fuck, everything about her was making me act like a fool. “I mean,” I attempted in a more softer tone. “Here as in my window.” I gestured.

“My mom asked me to give you this.” She lifted the foil tray in her hands. “It’s chocolate cupcakes,” she said shyly as she handed them to me.

“Oh, thanks,” I mumbled, taking it from her. I’d never had anyone in my life deliver cupcakes to my window before, but I wasn’t complaining. I was thinking of a way to talk to her anyway, so I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity than her showing up at my window.

“I’ll get going then,” she muttered, not really meeting my eyes. “Welcome to the neighborhood.”

And I just stood there not saying anything as she slowly turned around, her back getting farther and farther away from me.

“Wait,” I called out, and she froze before whipping her head toward me.

Those green eyes pinned me with question.

Think of something, Lan.You stopped her.

Not knowing what to do, I set those cupcakes aside and heaved myself over the ledge and jumped out the window. A ghost of a smile whispered on my lips as those green eyes widened when I neared her.

“Wh…what are you doing?” she gasped, her hand curling to her chest.

What was I doing?I didn’t know.But I’m intrigued by you, and I think you’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen, and I want to keep talking to you.

But instead, I said, “Grocery. Lara asked me to get a few things, but I don’t know where the store is,” I lied. We were getting takeout tonight, but I didn’t divulge that bit of information to her.

“It’s just a few streets over,” she replied, the pink still painted on the apples of her cheeks. “You just need to walk straight ahead and turn right, keep walking and then left. You’ll see the sign for Marty’s—”

“Come with me,” I cut in, running a hand through my hair. “I mean, you could show me. The way.”

“Hmm.” She blinked, her long lashes curling around her eyes.

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