Page 12 of Sweet Boys Love Christmas
“You sure?”
“Yeah.”
With a nod, he browses through my movies, and after a moment, he settles onElf, then sets the remote on the arm of the couch.
“Solid choice.” I adjust my legs since my left foot is beginning to go numb.
“It’s a classic.” He crosses his arms over his chest, eyes focused on the screen.
As the movie starts, I can’t help but stare at him.
Carved cheekbones, with the perfect amount of stubble. Brows I can’t help but be envious of—thick and full and perfectly arched, whereas I have to draw mine in or they’re practically non-existent. Perfectly full lips.
“I can feel you staring at me.”
I let out a sound that can only be described as a yip. “Sorry.”
My face goes so hot I have little doubt that it’s tomato red.
“It’s okay. Look your fill.” He keeps his eyes on the TV, but his lips quirk.
I drop my gaze to the blanket in my lap, tugging on a loose strand.
He shifts, causing the couch to creak under his weight. “Don’t be embarrassed.”
I startle when his finger is suddenly on my chin, forcing my gaze up, and a shiver works its way down my spine.
“We’re mature enough to acknowledge that we’re attracted to each other. We’ve both said our piece, and that’s that, but attraction doesn’t just go away. I’d like to be friends, though.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him that I don’t think we can be friends. It’s not normal to be this attracted to a person one has a platonic relationship with. But I swallow the words down. I’d rather have Luke in this limited capacity than not at all. That’s a scary thought, but I can’t deny it. My circle is next to nonexistent since I ended things with Tommy. I have Rosie, because she was my friend first. While I have other “friends,” thevast majority took Tommy’s side when we split. Why there even has to be sides is beyond me, but people are weird. I guess it’s better to know now who actually likes me and who just tolerated me because of my boyfriend.
“What are you thinking about over there?” he asks, pausing the movie. He drapes his arm over the back of the couch, his fingers close enough to graze my shoulder if he wanted.
“You don’t want to know.”
He purses his lips, cocking a brow.
Huffing, I let my shoulders sink. “Tommy.”
His nose crinkles like he smells something spoiled. “You’re right. I don’t want to know.”
“I was thinking about how the people in our friend group were actually his friends, and now I’m alone. I have Rosie, of course, and she’s great, but she hasa lotgoing on right now.”
Luke laughs. “I’d say. She married Daire. That’s all I need to know.”
“Yeah.” Head lowered, I pick at the thread on the blanket again. Their marriage is a farce. They tied the knot so Daire can get shared custody of his son. But that obviously isn’t public knowledge, so I keep my mouth shut on that front. “I know I’m not missing out on anything, because clearly those people didn’t care about me, but I guess with the whole thing with my parents, I’m feeling extra sensitive and lonely.”
My stomach twists as I force my gaze up. I can’t believe I admitted that to Luke Covey, of all people.
Luke’s lips turn down. “I don’t like the thought of you being lonely.”
I shrug. “I’ll be fine. I’ll graduate and move on with my life.”
His frown deepens. The look causes unease to wash through me. I hate that I’m the one who put it there.
“Don’t worry about me,” I say, forcing myself to sit straighter. “I’m good. Promise.”
He hums, clearly not buying what I’m selling. “Well, if you’re ever not good and want to hang out, let me know.”
