Page 87 of Rare Blend
“What’s that look on your face?” Elyse asks, her face twisting.
Shaking my head, I force away my indecent thoughts. “What look?” I say, feigning confusion.
Elyse’s eyes crinkle, assessing me. “Did something happen between you two?”
She’s like a damn bloodhound, unrelenting.
“I’m not talking about this with you. Boundaries, Elle.”
She releases an exaggerated gasp. “Something totally happened!”
I rub the throbbing pain building between my brows. “Will you drop it already? Don’t you have work to do?”
Elyse leans her head out of my doorway. “Tawn, get in here,” she calls out.
Jesus Christ. I should work from home, if only to avoid shit like this. “Elle, seriously? Leave it alone. I will deal with things in my own way. I don’t need you and Tawny and whoever else butting into my business.”
She pouts just as Tawny walks in.
“What are we talking about?” Tawny asks, eyes brimming with curiosity.
Elyse turns to her. “Ethan and his big fat crush on Marisa.”
Tawny giggles, leaning into Elyse. “Oh, I know. Aren’t they adorable?”
Alright, now I’m pissed. “I didn’t realize I pay you two to gossip like old women at the hair salon. Back to work.”
Tawny shrugs, unaffected, but wanders out.
Elyse shakes her head at me. “Tsk, tsk. Careful, E, your misogyny is showing.”
“Out. Get out and get back to work.”
She huffs and starts to walk out but pauses and turns to look at me, her eyes devoid of their usual humor. “For what it’s worth, I think you need to go for it. Forget about her leaving. Forget about the what ifs. Just try. Because you know what’s worse than going after who you want and it not working out? Not trying at all and living with the regret.”
Hell must be frozen over, because I’m taking advice from Shane. Willingly.
“Gray sweatpants.” Shane throws the sweatpants at me. “You gotta wear the gray sweatpants. The ladies go feral for them.”
Somehow, one text in the group chat turned into Gavin and Shane showing up at my place with unwarranted advice. I invited myself over to Marisa’s and after she took an hour toreply to my text, I started to panic and involved my brothers. I really wish I hadn’t.
I look over at Gavin, needing his confirmation on this.
Gavin smiles and nods. “He’s not wrong.”
“So, what? I just walk in there shirtless with gray sweatpants and she’s suddenly going to be interested in me?
Shane laughs. “You’re gonna wear a shirt. This isn’t a porno. This is a seduction, young grasshopper.”
Shane is loving this way too much, and my regret for getting him involved is growing by the minute.
“You know what?” I stand. “This was a mistake.”
“E, I’m just joking around?—”
Both Gavin and Shane stand, talking over each other.
“Ignore Shane, he’s being a shithead,” Gavin says.
