CHAPTER TEN
Ezra
Eli is frantically cleaning every surface possible before the housewarming guests arrive and snapping at us when we try to help, so Liv and I crack open a beer early and settle on the sofa.
“Who’ve you invited tonight?” she asks as we relax.
“Just some guys from the shop and next door.”
“Harlow?”
“Yeah, Harlow,” I confirm, not really wanting to dive too deep into this conversation.
“How does it feel knowing I kissed her first?” Eli smirks as he leans over the back of the sofa between us. Liv’s reflexes are lightning-quick, and she smacks him on the shoulder before he can retreat.
“How doesthatfeel?” she says.
“Don’t tease her,” I warn them both. “She’s mortified.”
“I think Harlow’s a tough cookie,” Eli reasons. I agree, but I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable in any way here.
“I like her,” Liv declares.
“The only time you met her, she kissed your boyfriend.” Doesn’t seem like the best start to me.
“Yeah, that was classic. But she was mortified, like you say, and you like her, so she must be pretty great.”
“Some stunning family loyalty there.” I grin over at Liv.
“Right, I’m done,” Eli announces. “Don’t touch anything while I change.”
“Wear the blue shirt,” Liv calls after him. “So...”
“So?” I ask, ignoring her questioning gaze for a swig of my beer instead.
“Do you like her?”
“Yeah, I guess. I only just met her, though. What’s the big deal?”
“The big deal is you don’t make an effort for anyone.”
“Rude.”
“Okay—you’d do anything for your family or friends,” she acquiesces, “but I’ve never seen you try with a girl. You practically stalked Harlow for a date.”
I shrug at her summary. Stalking’s a bit of an exaggeration, but when you walk into your nearest coffee shop and see Harlow at the counter, you don’t mind a bit of persistence to get a chance. And maybe her not falling at my feet adds to the appeal. Not that she needs any help, with her big, bright blue eyes that don’t even look real, that bouncy ponytail I can’t help but imagine wrapped around my fist, and those rosy lips that are sinful. Even imagining her now makes me want to fidget.
“She’s cool.”
“Eurgh, you’re useless,” Liv whines as she throws her head back against the sofa, and I chuckle at her sulking. I know she only wants to know I’m happy.
“I dunno. I don’t want to jinx anything. It feels like it’s something we should work out before I start blabbing.”
“Okay, I can respect that.”
“Can you?” I ask with an arch of my brow.
“Yes. Do you want another one?” She shakes her empty bottle at me, and I nod as I finish the dregs of mine. I get up with her and turn the lights and music on, setting the atmosphere.