Page 25 of Crumbling Truth
She wrinkled her nose and said, “Yeah, it did, but I’m sure Sofia isn’t going to bite her tongue for long.”
“You don’t think she bought it?”
“I don’t think she’s going to believe we’re dating, but…”
“But?” Curious, I raised my brows and waited for her to continue. A faint wash of pink crept over her cheeks and I clenched my fist when her straight white teeth sank into the plump rose of her lower lip.
“But she’ll probably assume we’re sleeping together.”
The words seeped right through my skin, settling deep inside me in a way that was both intensely arousing and oddly satisfying.
My voice was hoarse when I asked, “How do you feel about that?”
She drew a slow breath, met my gaze straight on, and said, “I think it’s a rumor I can live with.”
Chapter Ten
Esther
LongafterTheoleftthat night, I was still thinking about the molten heat in his eyes when I told him I could handle my closest friend assuming we were having the very hot affair she’d recommended. I was still thinking about it the next day when Sofia texted me about meeting up for drinks that weekend.
Drinks at Botticelli’s Sunday night? Bring lover boy.
Staring down at my phone as I paused in the middle of scooping out a batch of cookies, I sighed, washed my hands, and sent a text to Theo to see what he thought.
He didn’t answer right away, so I focused my attention on getting the tray into the oven. Just as I set the timer, a knock sounded at the front door. Out of habit, I checked the peephole, and the sight of Theo in a blue plaid shirt and worn leather jacket knocked me back half a step before I swung the door open.
“Hey,” he said, his gaze dipping to my neck before lifting back to my eyes. “You’ve got flour just…here.”
One thumb brushed over my collarbone, warm against the cool air outside and sending tendrils of fire along my veins. I forced myself to hold still, though I couldn’t prevent my lips from parting as I stared silently back at him.
“I haven’t had anyone to talk to all day except the cat, so I figured I’d come over instead of texting back. Am I interrupting something?”
“Oh. Just baking. Come on in.”
I stepped back to let him through and pretended not to notice the way his shirt molded to the muscles of his back and shoulders as he shrugged off his jacket and hung it on the hooks by the door. He lifted his head like a wolf scenting the air.
“Cookies?” he asked, lips curving into an eager smile.
“Behave yourself and you can have some fresh out of the oven.”
With a deep, rumbling chuckle, he winked at me. “Esther, I’d do just about anything for your cookies.”
“I’m not sure shameless flirting constitutes good behavior,” I said dryly as I led the way back into the kitchen.
“What about offering to help with anything you need? I’m an expert at dishwashing.”
I huffed out a laugh and waved at him to sit at the table while I scooped dough onto one last tray. “Just relax, I’m almost done. So. Are you ready for another date?”
When he didn’t immediately respond, I glanced over my shoulder and caught him watching me. Heat blossomed under my skin, even when his gaze drifted to my face. There was something soft and inviting in his eyes, but his expression was serious.
“Absolutely,” he said quietly. “Are you?”
I blinked at him for a beat, then nodded. “Yeah, drinks won’t be that big a commitment, right? I think if I put her off, she’ll badger me about Thanksgiving. I’d rather make an appearancethat we can escape from easily than get roped into a meal that will stretch for half the day.”
“Mrs. Jimenez takes holidays very seriously,” he said, grinning. “I think half a day might be underestimating her.”
“I’ll tell Sofia we’ll be there,” I said as I turned back to the cookies.
