“I’m a great drunk, unlike Brie. I’m still a functioning human being capable of doing things.”
“Shelby, the last time you had girls’ night here, I came back to you mounting the broom and shouting, ‘Onward, noble steed!’”
“I want to write paranormal. I was practicing broom mounting.”
“Sure you were.” He pulled his lips up on one side. “All right, fine. I’ll drive so you can drink wine with my mother and pick out the baby photos to embarrass me with in front of my future girlfriend.”
I clicked my tongue and winked, despite the idea of him having a future girlfriend being slightly repulsive to me.
I know. I had a problem. A big one. My feelings had quickly gone from wanting to tickle his pickle to wanting to wrap myself around him and growl at any woman who came near him who wasn’t blood-related.
The worst part was that I couldn’t even blame it on raging hormones. I was totally clear of shark week. Nope. This was just a regular old attraction to my best friend.
Ugh.
“See, this is why you’re my best friend,” I said, opening the fridge and pulling some pre-packaged mango out of it. “You drive me around so I can drink wine and make fun of you. If you’d leave my Oreos alone, you’d be the perfect guy.”
Jay’s eyebrows shot up. “Look, I’ve done my laundry twice this week and not eaten any of your Oreos. I’m already there.”
“Yes, but you still have a pair of dirty socks under the coffee table.” I pointed that way with the fork I’d just grabbed. “And I had to clean the sink before I could brush my teeth this morning because you shaved yesterday and didn’t do it.”
He opened his mouth to say something before quickly shutting it and getting a rueful expression on his face. “Ah, shit. I meant to do that, but there was a delivery I had to go down and sign for. Your delivery, actually.” He pointed at the box on top of the coffee table. “I guess I got distracted after.”
“Let me guess, that was the last time you used the bathroom?” I raised an eyebrow, spearing a square of the bright yellow fruit.
“Pretty much. I went to work, then I had my date.”
“Well, at least you didn’t bring her back here. If I wanted to hear people having sex, I’d be living with Brie and Sean.” Who were now talking, if the text I woke up to from her was any indication.
Jay tapped two fingers to his temple. “It’s in the agreement. I remembered. Besides—I wouldn’t do that anyway. It’s simple respect.” He shrugged and leaned forward, pinching a bit of my fruit.
I shot him a glare. Nobody touched my mango. Much like nobody was allowed to my Oreos.
I liked food, okay? And I didn’t like to share it.
“I appreciate it.” I smiled at him. He had no idea how much I appreciated it, and I wasn’t going to mention it. “When are you working?”
“Trying to get rid of me?” His eyes sparkled.
“No, but if you’re at work, you aren’t eating my food.” I swatted his hand away as he just managed to grab another piece. “Jay! Cut it out!”
He shoved it into his mouth, grinning around it. “It’s good.”
“So buy your own, you thief!”
Shaking his head, he rounded the island, coming for my fruit. I dropped the fork and pulled the plastic container close to my chest, using my other hand to shield it from him.
“Jay. Cut it,” I warned him, walking backward. “You’re not stealing my fruit.”
“Is there more mango?”
“No. I ate it all.”
“See, this is how you feel about your Oreos. I like mango, too. Share it.” He advanced on me, quickening his pace.
I clutched the container so hard the plastic bent, and the juice from the fruit splashed against my shirt, but since it was yesterday’s, I didn’t care. “Jay.”
“Shelby.” He grinned, and something decidedly wolfish and playful flashed in his eyes, making my stomach clench.
“Stop it.”
“No.” He made one final dart at me, and I jerked backward with a squeal right into the island.
The squeal quickly turned to a hiss of pain as the protruding corner of the island slammed into my hip. I doubled over, dropping the mango I’d literally hurt myself to protect, and clapped my hands over my now-throbbing hip.
“Shit, Shelbs!” Jay closed the final few inches of space between us and crouched down, his hands immediately going to mine. “I’m sorry. I was just messing with you.”
“It’s fine.” I winced as I moved my hand. “It was an accident. Protecting food comes at a price.”
“Yes, it’s very admirable,” he said dryly. “Let me take a look.”
I slowly straightened and moved my hands away. God freakin’ damn it, it hurt like hell.
Jay reached over and pushed up my shirt, his fingers brushing across the bare skin of my stomach. Despite the pain I was in, I drew in a sharp but deep breath at the contact.