Page 88 of Caught Looking

I cocked an eyebrow. “It would make it easier to bend you over that guest bed one more time and eat out this pretty pussy. For old time’s sake.” It didn’t matter if we did it or not. The point was to have fun. To tease each other. To keep each other right on that edge.

“Take my panties, Seth.”

“Good girl,” I growled, hooking my fingers around the fabric, pulling them down. I stood up and slid them into my pocket, then I took one more look at Annalise before we reentered society. “Just remember, babe. When we go home tonight you get a reward. So don’t stay too long.”

Her smoldering smile made my heart stop.

25

ANNALISE

Willa hugged me. Hugged me hard. “Oh my god, I am so happy to meet you! Thank you!” She let me go and stared at me like I was the eighth wonder of the world.

“Why are you thanking me?” Willa Cooper was a wisp. A fairy. She was a tiny thing with long, curly hair. She wore a long skirt, a million bracelets and necklaces, and was so pretty it took my breath away.

She grinned. “You’ve made Seth so happy. Finally! I’m just so grateful. He’s been a different person since he met you,” she kept on gushing, “close to who he used to be. You know,before. But different. He has that same carefree charm. He’s calm again. Happy. But it’s more mature. He’s so confident. He knows what he wants and he’s so clear about it all. I’m so happy for you two.”

Before.

I gulped down a wave of panic. We’d come so far, gotten so close. He knew my body better than anyone ever had before. He protected me. Held me while I told himmydarkest secrets.

But he still hadn’t told me his.

And now Willa was babbling as if I knew this part of Seth.

Because she’d known himbefore.She knew him in ways I never would. And that made me irrationally jealous.

“So thank you. I know it sounds silly, but meeting you has changed him. All I’ve ever wanted was for him to finally move past her and live his own life. He’s finally doing it.”

Her.The one who broke his heart. Why hadn’t he told me? Didn’t he trust me?

I couldn’t think straight so I changed the subject. Otherwise I might explode with jealousy. “So you might be taking over the Tangerines documentary?”

She bubbled on with even more excitement. “Kristin is amazing! We hit it right off. I’m not saying I’m hired but I have a knack for these things. When the vibes are right, they’re right. And we had good vibes. She liked my ideas. She watched clips of my previous work and had notes on what she was hoping to see in the Tangerines story. Oh my goodness I hope I get the job because then you and I will get a chance—a real chance—to become friends. Which is so important to me. Ev and Seth are the brothers I never had. They mean everything to me and I want so desperately for us to be like sisters. I don’t really get along with other women. I was raised by my dad. I don’t like to shop or wear makeup but I love sports and you play sports!” She slapped her hand over her mouth, eyes wide with shock.

I laughed. How could I not? Willa was infectious.

She slid her hand down to her chin. “I am so sorry. I haven’t word vomited on someone in so long. This is embarrassing.”

I laughed even harder, feeling that friendship she wished for already blossoming between us. “Not as embarrassing as how jealous I was of you a minute ago.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “You were jealous? Why?”

“Because you know the old Seth.”

She touched my arm. “This is why I love you already. I know you’ll take good care of him.”

Everett slung his arm over her shoulders, grinning down at her. “Hey Tink. Are you in love with Annalise yet?”

Tink? Like Tinkerbell?Actually, that was pretty spot on. Willa was a tiny mischievous fairy. I could feel it.

“Sure am.” She beamed up at him.

Holy hell. Theywerein love. It was so obvious it was blinding. Seth slid his arm around my waist, smirking. He leaned in and whispered, “See? Clear as day.”

“You’re right.” It was amazing they hadn’t fallen into bed together yet, let alone fallen in love.

“Ready to go home?”

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