Page 36 of Clouded by Envy

“You can’t rush perfection—and Greg’s in need of a new muse.” Christopher’s attention turned to the extra curvy woman with short spiky hair, and he waggled his eyebrows at her. “Kelly, are you up for the job?”

“That is ano. He’sfineas hell, but he’s been around the block a few too many times for me,” Kelly answered.

Brenik found the whole conversation amusing.

Rana elbowed Brenik’s bicep and leaned forward to speak close to his ear, her warm breath tickling the skin of his neck. “Greg’s the singer in the band.”

At that moment, Brenik wanted to take her any place where they could be alone. Even if it was just to talk.

“Time for charades,” Josie yelled, and shook her arms at everyone.

The game was more interesting than Brenik thought it would be. He found himself not being overly communicative, but not completely anti-social either.

The group split up into four teams—the theme was Disney characters. Brenik hadn’t bothered to watch most of the Disney movies—Bray would have known every answer.

Bobbing her arms stiffly up and down while bending her knees to lift her legs, Rana bulged her eyes and nodded her head toward Brenik.

“I don’t have any idea what that even is.” He chuckled as he tried to think about it.

“Wait, hold on,” he added, holding up his hand over his eyes, so he could avoid being distracted by Rana’s odd movements.

What is that movie Bray would watch with the girl who liked books?Brenik brought his other hand up, his fingers fiddling back and forth as he thought, while everyone in the room knew exactly who Rana was pretending to be. Then it came to him. “The Beast!” he shouted, content with his answer.

“What?” Rana yelled, throwing her hands up. “Are you kidding me? It’sPinocchio. You know? Puppet movements?” She dangled her arms again in his face with a cute, angry expression.

“Yeah, I have never seen that one.” He shrugged a shoulder and grinned.

“I swear, you’re from another planet.” That was true, and his grin grew wider as hers did the same, stretching across her face.

So beautiful, he thought.

After a few more rounds, everyone eventually left except for Rana and Brenik. Rana’s roommate Josie went to stay the night at Jacob’s house, who may or may not be her boyfriend. Rana said she could never tell.

She turned on a movie, and Brenik sat back against the couch, too distracted by her nearness to focus on the screen.

He placed his hand on the suede cushion, fingers pressing down into it. The barest touch of her skin met his.

It wasn’t just the physical aspects of her he wanted—he yearned for all of her. But the all of her he craved was not agreeing with him, because that terrible hunger was trying to find its way out. If he didn’t leave soon, Brenik feared the same thing would happen to her that had happened with Jeremy. Then all of her would become nothing, and he would not be okay with that.

“Rana, I have to leave,” he said hoarsely, already striding for the door.

“Oh, all right. Let me drive you home.” Disappointment filled her voice, but he couldn’t focus on that right now. His body felt too hot, and his heart beat more rapidly than it ever had.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s right down the street—only a ten-minute walk,” he stuttered.

“I’m taking you home,” she said firmly.

“I’ve got it—I’m a grown man—and thanks for having me over tonight.” He tried to end the conversation as quickly as possible without it coming out too harsh.

“Sure.” Her face fell.

His hands felt twitchy, but he didn’t want to leave her like that. Before he left, he spun back around and said, “You know, your ex-boyfriend was a fucking idiot.” Reaching out toward her lovely face, he brushed the pad of his thumb against her tiny mole.

“Do you want to come over tomorrow?” he asked.

“I’d love that. I can come a little after five.” She smiled at him, the grim expression melting away. Brenik wanted to stay, but he had to hurry up and leave.

“Good night, Rana.” He dropped his hand from her face and turned around without looking back, for fear he would do something he’d regret.

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