Page 74 of Going Viral for Christmas
Fisher squints at Soren’s crotch. “Oh no. Were you pitching tent? Don’t get mad at me because I’m the plot twist you needed.”
“Get out,” I mutter, cheeks still flaming.
Fisher grins wider. “Fine. I’ll leave you to your slow burn. But if you’re going to combust spontaneously, can you at least wait until I’ve had dinner?”
Sauntering out, he leaves the door wide open behind him.
Soren and I sit there in stunned silence.
I bury my face in my hands. “I’m sorry about him.”
Soren’s voice is laced with reluctant laughter. “No worries.”
A beat passes.
Then another.
Neither of us moves. Neither of us dares to look at the other.
My cheeks are still hot. The pillow is still covering his lap. The computer is still open on the bed, glowing with all the things we’re both thinking and don’t say, and all the things I want him to do to me.
I clear my throat. “Um, well, I’m gonna head to bed.”
Soren huffs out a quiet laugh. “Dream sweet, Bells.”
Even though the moment’s passed, even though Fisher blew in as the world’s most bonkers chaperone, the tension growing between Soren and me is a song waiting to restart.
We could pretend we didn’t gaze at each other the way we did. But that would be a lie.
I leave the room and hurry straight to mine, grabbing my phone off the nightstand, and shooting a text to my mother.
Hey, quick heads-up.
I’m bringing someone home for Thanksgiving.
Please don’t panic. Or do that thing where you text the entire family.
OH MY GOD. Is it the hot fantasy author with the smirk??? THE ONE I SAW KISS YOU ON THE INTERNET???
Um-yeah.
Ava Bell, how DARE you casually drop this at 10:46 PM like it’s a weather update. Also, we’re going to discuss why you haven’t told us that you’re dating him.
I’ve had so much going on.
I’m your mother. We’re your family. Nothing should ever get in the way of that.
I’m sorry.
OMG you’re bringing Soren Pembry into my home?! To eat MY stuffing?!
Please don’t make it weird. It’s new.
Are you sleeping together? Are you in love??
I need to buy matching pajamas.
Don’t do that!
