Page 107 of He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

He nods, his hand suddenly on the small of my back. ‘I did get your email,’ he says.

‘What do you think?’ She looks between the two of us.

‘I think we’re competitors on a show so drinks probably wouldn’t be appropriate.’

She asked him to have a drink with her? We’re in a rooftop garden with an open bar. This wasn’t private enough? CeCe is something else. Then again, she thinks he’s single. Maybe he is?No. Hollyn, stop obsessing. You’re creating a problem where there isn’t one. If you ruin this before it’s even started, you’ll regret it.

I glance around the rooftop, looking for any familiar faces that can help me not panic. It’s bad enough I’m still thinking about the stupid text from Sydney last weekend. I didn’t ask him about it since it wasn’t my business, and he didn’t mention it. I don’t know if I want to know.

‘Hey.’ River’s voice stops my head.

Thank god. Never in a million years have I been so glad to see my annoying little brother. I can’t stand here overthinking every possible problemorbe the jealous other woman.Again. I can’t. I just got out of that kind of relationship.

‘Is this your boyfriend, Hollyn?’ Celeste asks, an almost relieved grin on her face as River stops by my side. She takes a step closer to Dax as if she’s claiming her property.

‘You two are adorable together,’ Celeste says. ‘Don’t you think?’

Dax nods, his eyes on me, his smile slowly growing. ‘They sure are.’

River and I exchange glances, him shoving me an arm’s length away from him.

‘Gross.’ He gawks. ‘She’s my sister. So,no. We are notadorabletogether.’

‘He’s yourbrother?’ Celeste asks, now eying him from head to toe.

I glance at Dax, who laughs under his breath. Is this girl just hard up for any guy or what? I guess that makes me feel better.

‘You seem a little desperate, honey,’ River says matter-of-factly, reading her silent stare. ‘Can I get you a drink?’ he asks her, taking advantage of his previous words.

‘No. Thanks,’ she says, sticking close to Dax.

‘I’lljoin you,’ I say to River, glancing back at Dax, who nods as if he understands.

‘As mysister,’ he shouts to Celeste. ‘She’ll join me as my annoying sister.’

‘She gets it, Riv,’ I say, pushing him away from her towards the bar.

‘What’s up with her?’ He requests two beers from the bartender.

‘She’s got the hots for Dax.’

‘Of course she does,’ he says, obviously unimpressed. ‘Seems like everyone around me has the hots for Dax,’ he says, lowering his chin, giving me a classicwhat did you do, dad look. ‘Why didn’tyoutell me?’

‘You two have this stupid bro code thing going on, so he felt like he needed to be the one to break it to you.’

He nods, taking the beers from the bartender and handing me one. ‘Keep talking.’

I let out a groan. ‘I was afraid you’d think I was getting myself into another mess. You know, because of how fast things have gone.’

‘You do like to move in with guys quickly, don’t you?’

‘Shut up. Dax and Iaren’t living togetherliving together.’

‘No…’ He drags out the word. ‘You’ve slept in his bed every night this week, and practically all your shit is in his room. But nah, you’redefinitely not living togetherliving together.’

Oh my god. Did I do it again? Move in with a guy too soon?Whatwas I thinking? This is exactly what I swore I wouldn’t do.

‘Stop panicking,’ Riv says, reading my mind. ‘It was a joke; I didn’t realize you’re already in your head.’

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