Page 133 of Wish You Were Mine
LUCY
“My parents were talkingabout you on the ride home,” I said as I curled one leg beneath me on Owen’s couch, angling toward him.
“They were?” His brow lifted. “What’d they say?”
“That they really like you.” I gave a small shrug. “I mean, it was definitely in the‘he’s a good friend for Theo to have’kind of way, but still…they think you’re a cool dude. So that’s good.”
“A ‘cool dude,’ huh?” A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Somehow I can’t picture those words coming from either your mom or your dad’s mouth?”
“You know what I mean,” I said, nudging his arm playfully. “They were impressed. Everything you’ve accomplished, the way you carry yourself…they like you.”
“Well, that’s good to hear.” He leaned back slightly, his arm brushing mine.
I hesitated, then asked, “What did you think of the dinner?”
“It was really good.” He gave a small chuckle. “Your mom issuper sweet, and your dad was way cooler than I expected. Honestly, I was kind of surprised by the things he said. Especially after hearing the critique he gave you after your first home meet.”
“That’s because you’re not his kid.” I sighed. “You don’t have the Archibald family legacy to live up to.”
He gave a soft exhale, his tone gentler when he said, “But he seemed proud of you today. Did he say anything else when I wasn’t around?”
“No. He was good. Proud.” I shook my head. “But…I took first place. So, you know.”
“So he didn’t have anything to complain about.”
I gave a small shrug, my fingers absently running along the seam of the cushion. “Maybe I’m being too critical. I guess I just don’t want to disappoint him.”
Owen’s voice was steady when he said, “If he’s disappointed in you, he’s the one with the problem.”
I swallowed and smiled, those words hitting deeper than I expected. I set my glass of water on one of the coasters on his coffee table. Then, on impulse, I scooted a little closer and leaned into his side.
His arm came around me, warm and solid, and I let myself sink into the feeling of him. His chest rose and fell beneath my cheek, calm and steady, and I breathed in the quiet comfort of just being close.
After a moment, I reached for his tie and played with the silky fabric between my fingers. “I like this on you, by the way,” I said. “The purple.”
“Really?” he asked, glancing down. “Doesn’t look too…feminine?”
“Nope.” I smiled. “It looks good on you. Brings out your eyes.”
His gaze met mine, the smallest flicker of vulnerability there.
“You have really nice eyes,” I added.
A soft smile pulled at his mouth. “So do you.”
For a second, we just looked at each other.
I let my eyes wander over his face, taking in the little details I hadn’t noticed before. The sharp cut of his jaw. The faint shadow of stubble along his skin. The way his dark hair fell across his forehead like it was too soft to stay put.
He looked older than the guys I usually hung out with—not in a bad way. Just in ahe-knows-who-he-iskind of way. A little more serious, a little more guarded. Like someone who’d learned the hard way not to let people in too easily.
But it was his eyes that had me hypnotized.
That rich, warm brown that always looked thoughtful, measured.
Like he was trying to memorize this moment. Or maybe memorizeme.
And I couldn’t help but wonder if he saw me differently now. Not just as Theo’s little sister. Not just as the student in his one p.m. lecture.
