Page 35 of Just Friends Forever
She shakes her head. “His face was hidden behind the camera.”
I frown, chafing her arms like she’s cold rather than troubled. When I invited her to stay here, I didn’t realize I would be putting her in danger. “I need to get one of those video doorbells. I’ll order one today, okay?”
“It’s not that. I mean, it is. It creeped me out to see that guy right there. But…”
“But what?” I try to make her meet my gaze.
She hesitates. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
It’s my turn to hesitate. I search her face, trying to decide if she means it in an aww-shucks-you-shouldn’t-have way or in a that-was-a-bad-idea way. I’m thinking it’s the second option.
I drop my hands from her arms.
“I know you were just trying to help,” she says, “but think about the optics. They get word that I’m staying here. You go out there like”—she fumbles over her words—“likethat.” She gestures vaguely in my direction, her eyes fixed on my body.
I look down at my bare chest. In my fired-up state, I didn’t think about what I was wearing—or not wearing. I frown at my body. I’ve been going hard on the weights for the past year, and I flattered myself I was looking pretty decent. Apparently not. “Dang. I mean, I’m no Chris Hemsworth, but I didn’t think the optics werethatbad.”
“That’s not what I’m saying. You look incredible.” Her eyes flit down to my abs. “Like, I don’t even know wh—” She shuts her mouth and brings her gaze to mine. “The point I was making is how it will look if they know I’m staying here, and you come outside without a shirt first thing in the morning. You know?” The way her brows are raised tells me she’s hoping I’ll put two and two together.
And I do. She’s worried the media will assume there’s something between us. That’s why she was so quiet and anxious when I came back inside after fire-hosing them all. It’s not that she was still shaken up by a stalker paparazzo trying to get pictures of her through the window. It’s because she doesn’t want them to think we’re together. To Stevie, that conclusion would be the equivalent of claiming two plus two equals five. It’s all wrong.
“Gotcha,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck. “I hadn’t thought about it that way. It was stupid of me.”
“No, you were just trying to protect me, which I really appreciate.” She lets out a gigantic sigh and lets her head fall back. “I’m overreacting, and I know it. I just don’t want to make them mad. They all have their favorite and least favorite celebrities, and they’ve got a lot of power over how the public perceives people.”
“So, if I make them mad and also give them reason to think you and I are…” I don’t finish.
“Especially right after my divorce…”
I feel like an idiot. Here I thought I was being some sort of hero and oh-so-clever with my water-blasting when all I was doing was adding to Stevie’s burden. Is she worried Curtis will be hurt to think she’s dating someone already? “Shoot, I’m really sorry, Stevie. I wasn’t thinking.”
She smiles sympathetically. “And I’moverthinking, so I guess we balance each other out. It’s not a big deal, and I’m really grateful to you for being so ready to go to bat for me, Troy. You really are thebestbest friend.”
Those words should be a huge compliment, but part of me hates them.
Her mouth pulls up at one side. “I wishI’dhad a camera to capture them all scrambling once they realized what you were doing.” Her smile grows. “Did you see that guy trip over the other guy and fall into his arms?”
I chuckle. “See it? I orchestrated it.”
“Totally on purpose, I’m sure. And you standing there in your power stance like you were holding a bazooka.”
“That hose has some serious power. I’d say you should try it, but I’m not sure you could handle the recoil.”
“Sounds like a challenge.”
“It is. But first, breakfast.”
She wrinkles her nose. “Freeze-dried eggs?”
“Nah. We’ll save those for a special occasion.” I wink, and we head into my apartment. “Oh, how do you feel about hanging out with Tori and Siena tonight? I’m going out with Lyla, and I thought you might enjoy—”
“Babysitters?” She smiles and shuts the door behind us. “I’m totally joking. I’d love to see them.”
We cross the living room toward the kitchen. “And they’d love to see you. I wanted to check with you first, though, since I know my family can be… a lot.” I grab the eggs out of the fridge and the sourdough from the bread cupboard.
“Are you kidding?” She comes up next to me and opens the egg carton. “Your family is the best.”
“They are. But after all the time you’ve spent alone, it might be a little overwhelming.”
