Page 6 of Connected By Stars
“Thank you, though, for having my back,” she says softly.
I stare into those blues, and my mind goes blank. I blink to try and remember what we were talking about. I break eye contact and run a hand through my hair, trying to gather my thoughts. “I, uh, I’ll always have your back. You know that.” I sneak a glance at her again and, for a brief moment, get a glimpse of something in her eyes that makes my pulse race and my body get aroused. It’s gone before I can figure it out, but my body clearly remembers. What the fuck. I shift uncomfortably in my seat and look anywhere but at the one sitting next to me.
“Everyone ready to eat?” Sage asks, getting up. “My timer just went off, so dinner’s done.” Thank fuck, I’m saved by the bell, literally. I get up with everyone and try not to appear as confused and rattled as I feel. What did I just see behind those blues? And, more importantly, why did my body respond to it?
Chapter Three
Bella
I glance nervouslyat Maverick as we sit down. He’s across from me, and I can tell he’s looking anywhere but at me. I let my guard down. I couldn’t help it. Normally, when he interferes with my dating, it pisses me off. I know deep down the real reason it pisses me off is because I know he’s right about all of these guys not being the one for me. I get even more pissed off because he’s the reason why. None of these guys make me feel even the tiniest amount of desire compared to how I feel when Maverick steps into a room.
When he told me what he said to Trevor, my date, I couldn’t help but feel like he did it for a different reason other than the usual overbearing, protective older brother vibe that he gives off. I could sense the anger, but it felt…different. I felt…possessiveness from him. My body instantly became aroused, and I let the desire show briefly in my eyes. I know he saw it. I can tell by the way he looked shocked and then uncomfortable. What I can’t tell is if that is a good sign or a bad one.
I take the enchilada plate from Mav, and our fingers brush. Heat zaps my body, and our eyes briefly meet before he looks away and quickly removes his hand. Great, now it’s going to beawkward between us. Way to go, Bella. I’ve hidden my feelings for years, and one slip-up ruins it all. Maybe it’s best this way. He will run and distance himself from me, and I’ll get over him in time. At least, that’s what I’ve been telling myself for years.
“How’s your book coming along, Emma?” I need to focus on something other than the green-eyed sex god sitting across from me.
Her eyes light up at the mention of her book. “It’s almost finished. I just need to find the right illustrator to bring it to life. Noah’s been helping me a lot with all the self-publishing stuff.” She looks over at Noah with love shining in her eyes. He smiles at her with a look that I yearn for. I want what they have. A passion and love so powerful it consumes you and sets your soul on fire. I sigh. I think I’ve been reading way too much of my brother’s romance books. Not everyone gets their happy ending. I glance at Maverick and see him watching me. He quickly looks away and busies himself with eating.
“I can’t wait to see it all put together. Sophia is going to put copies in her classroom for the students. She’s excited that you agreed to do a book signing for the kids and read for them one day,” I say, taking a bite of food.
“Agreed? Well, that’s one way to put it. She basically told me I have to even though I don’t have the book done. I can’t even think that far ahead. It’s still so surreal that I’m actually doing this.” She gives a small laugh.
“She’s just excited for you and believes in you. We all do. She probably wants you first for a book signing so she can brag about it.” I laugh and take a sip of my drink.
“It’s going to be a best seller—I know it.” Noah squeezes her hand and grins at her.
“Thank you guys for believing in me.” Her eyes fill with tears. “I’m sorry.” She dabs her eyes with her napkin. “I’vebeen such a mess lately and cry at a drop of a hat. I’m just so damn happy.”
“You deserve all this happiness, Emma, and more,” my dad says, smiling at her. “Enjoy it, sweetie.”
Nodding, Emma wipes her eyes again while Noah whispers something in her ear, causing her to blush and laugh.
“I can’t believe only five weeks are left before the wedding. Skye and Cole, come in next week, right? For dress shopping and tux fitting?” Mimi asks Emma.
“They’ll be here Wednesday until Sunday. The girls and I are on a mission to find both a wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses in that time. I know it’s cutting it short, but Skye and Cole already took so much time off to be with me during the accident and then again for the wedding, so we’re trying to cram in shopping and bachelorette and bachelor parties in four days.” She says, laughing. “I know I could have dress-shopped right away, but I can’t imagine not doing it with Skye. I’ll find the right dress. I can feel it.”
“And you’re sure you don’t want to do a quick flight to Vegas or somewhere fun like Barbados for your bachelor party?” Maverick asks Noah. “Golfing and a bonfire doesn’t seem like a grand send-off to married life.”
“We’re sure,” Noah says, laughing. “We decided we just want to spend the day doing something fun with our best friends and then meet up later for a bonfire. Nothing too crazy. I have no interest in sitting in some sleazy strip club looking at women who are not remotely close to what I have beside me.” Emma blushes up at Noah.
“Not everyone likes tits shoved in their face,” I say, looking at Maverick. I glance at Luna, forgetting she’s here, and see her talking to Papaw, thankfully.
“Well, that would depend on what tits are in my face.” He gives me a heated glare. He’s definitely annoyed at something.Feeling my irritation rise, I start to respond, but Emma cuts in.
“I, for one, am looking forward to bottomless mimosas with the girls at brunch and then a relaxing day at the spa.” I break my eye contact with Maverick and look at Emma. It’s hard not to smile at her excitement.
“I’m looking forward to it too. I need a day to clear my head and relax. I'll be in heaven after bottomless mimosas and a good massage.”
“I’m excited about the bonfire too. Noah’s already collecting firewood for it.” She laughs. “It will be fun to have both parties end the night together. I can’t imagine celebrating any other way than having all the people that mean the most to me in one place.”
“I’m looking forward to it too, Em.” Maverick’s eyes go soft as he smiles at her. “I think having everyone there together is a great idea.” His eyes light up with an idea. “Hey, maybe you should do the lap dance then. You could give Noah a little show for his bachelor party.”
Emma starts laughing, and Noah cuts in. “Oh, she’ll be giving me a show, alright, but it will be for my eyes only after everyone has left. There’s no way she’s wearing what I have in mind for anyone else to see.”
Emma’s face goes bright red as something unspoken flashes between them. I start to get all hot and bothered, just feeling the sexual energy between them.
“Fair enough,” Maverick says, laughing. “It was worth a try.”
