Page 66 of The Perfect Spiral
We head upstairs together, stopping outside my room. He looks down at me, a smile playing on his lips. Why is he smiling?
“Why are you smiling?” I ask.
He seems to snap out of his thoughts. “I’m not smiling, you are!” We both end up smiling even more.
He rubs the back of his neck, then asks, “Are we going to pretend this never happened or...?” I’m taken aback by his question, and a little hurt.
“Alex! Look what I got you!” Adam interrupts, running up the stairs. He’s waving a little surfboard with his name on it.
I crouch down to his level, smiling at him. Knox does the same.
“Awww, Adam, I love it! Thank you so much!” I say, leaning over to kiss his cheek. He wraps his little arms around my neck.
He pokes my face, then licks his finger. I laugh. “Do I taste good?” I ask, immediately regretting my choice of words.
Knox laughs, covering his face with his hand. Did I really just ask a three-year-old that?
Adam nods innocently. I pick him up, hugging him tightly to diffuse the awkwardness that only Knox and I can feel.
“Where’s my hug, little man?” Knox teases, prodding him gently in the ribs. The boy squirms out of my arms and dashes over to envelop Knox in a hug of his own.
This kid is just too cute. Watching them embrace is heartwarming, and I can’t help but smile. Clutching the gift Adam had given me earlier, I beam down at it.
“An early Christmas present from one of my favorite guys!” Adam turns his head back to me while still wrapped in Knox’s arms. I tickle him playfully and he starts to pat Knox’s face.
“Why do you have food on your face?” he asks innocently. If only he knew. Knox chuckles and shifts his gaze to meet mine.
“Well, buddy, we had a little food fight in the kitchen earlier today, before you all came home. But we need to shower now because we have to head out.”
“A food fight?! Can I have one?” His head swivels back and forth between us. We both shake our heads no and he starts to pout.
“I tell you what, buddy! How about me, you, and all the boys have a big water fight down in Savannah this summer? How does that sound? Hmm?”
Adam’s little head bobs up and down in agreement with the plan Knox just concocted. With that, he’s set down and he scampersdownstairs after hearing my mom announce that dinner is ready.
Leaving us alone once more. I can’t tear my eyes away from the stairs Adam just descended. “Baby doll,” Knox’s voice pulls me back to the present, and I turn to face him, suddenly aware of how close he is.
He’s moved closer than before, and I didn’t even hear him approach. We’re both locked in a silent stare, his ocean-blue eyes a striking contrast against his warm, tanned skin. This unfamiliar feeling is overwhelming.
He cups my face gently in his hands. His eyes are telling a story of a silent debate. I know him well enough to recognize his internal struggle, but what he’s debating, I’m not sure.
Perhaps it’s about what we’re both feeling right now.
“We should shower. I’ll meet you downstairs in thirty minutes?” he suggests in a low, steady tone. I nod and turn to walk into my room, giving him one last look with a small smile playing on my lips.
He returns the smile before shuffling his feet and heading down the hall. What the hell just happened?
You just kissed each other, dipshit.
The shower will help clear my head, right? I nod to myself, answering my own question. I need to stop doing that.
Chapter 24
As I head for the shower, I turn on the water and undress, ready to wash away the remnants of the day. I catch my reflection inthe mirror, my face smeared with dark brown icing, my lips the only clear spot.
I can’t help but grin at my reflection, my fingers tracing over my lips, still tingling from the heat of the moment. I step into the warm water, letting it cascade down my legs, washing away the food mask on my face and in my hair.
After what feels like ten minutes, I step out of the shower and choose an outfit—a blue and white, off-the-shoulder, pin-striped top with long sleeves, paired with dark denim jeans and white Vans. I lay my coat on the duvet, leave my hair to dry naturally, and apply a bit of makeup.
