Page 131 of Heartless Stepbrother
She grinned. “No. But you definitely scarehim.”
I almost laughed, because the idea was ridiculous.
But something in the way Riley had looked at me…
Something in the way his smile had sharpened when I pushed back…
Maybe it wasn’t completely impossible.
I exhaled, shoulders relaxing, and looked out toward the crowd where Riley was now leaning against a log, head tilted like he was listening to someone. But his eyes?
Yeah.
Still on me.
Watching.
Quietly entertained.
Quietly impressed.
For the first time tonight, I didn’t look away.
I met his gaze and held it.
A spark passed between us, silent, electric, unreadable, and Riley’s mouth twitched like he had to fight off another smile.
Malia nudged me. “Okay, teach me how to be that terrifying.”
I took a sip of water, steadying myself.
“I’m learning as I go.”
“Fair,” she said. “He seems… intrigued.”
That was one word for it.
I lifted my chin.
“I can handle that.”
And for the first time since arriving at the bonfire…
I actually believed it.
Malia led me toward a circle of blankets spread out near the dunes, where three girls were sitting: one with bright red braids, one with a nose ring and a soft, sleepy expression, and one with a messy bun and a sketchbook balanced on her knees.
“Guys,” Malia said, dropping onto a blanket, “this is Luna.”
They all looked up at me with open, curious smiles, not the sharp, assessing ones I’d been getting earlier. Actual warmth.
Red Braids perked up. “Oh! You’re the girl he—“
Malia shot her a warning look.
Red Braids cleared her throat. “The girl who showed up with Riley.”
Much better.
