“Never mind.” She stands and her mouth curves up. “Let’s do this! I want to see Theodore swallow his tongue when he gets a look at you.”
Stella goes out first. I take one more look at myself in the mirror and follow.
The guys are sitting in the living room playing video games. Emmett notices Stella first and then his stare slides to me.
“Woah,” he says. His gaze bounces between us. “I don’t know which is which, but you both looksuperhot.”
Felix smacks him even before he looks away from the screen. “You’re talking about my sisters, dude.”
“Sorry, but they are.”
They continue bickering, but it’s background noise because the second that Teddy looks up at me, everything else falls away and it’s just the two of us. He stands. I think one of the guys complains that the game isn’t over, but Teddy crosses the room to me. He doesn’t speak as he takes me in. His hair is styled neatly, but still curls at the ends. The black button-down shirt he’s wearing stretches over his broad chest and back.
“Hi,” I say quietly.
His throat works with a swallow, but he still doesn’t say a word.
Stella giggles and mutters, “Told you so.”
The ski resort lodge has been transformed for the party. There are lights strung from the ceiling, and trees decorated in every corner, as the band plays holiday tunes.
People are dancing and standing at the bar. It’s an interesting mix of families and couples. I see Tricia and send her a mean glare. The guy that she’s with keeps checking out other girls when she’s not looking. It’s hard to feel sorry for her.
Teddy stays by my side, occasionally brushing his fingers against mine or touching my lower back. I’m never going to survive the night without kissing him. I’m keeping an eye out for a dark corner to shove him into.
Stella is on her phone, texting Beau, I’m sure.
“Put that away,” I tell her. “You’re missing this and it’s incredible.”
“Okay, okay.” She tucks it into her purse and adjusts the strap of her little Prada crossbody bag. “You’re right. I’ve wanted to go to this party for years.”
Emmett spins and holds out his hand to her. “Dance, Stella?”
“Impressive. You can finally tell us apart.”
He holds up his hand. Something is scribbled in ink. He stares at his palm as he reads, “Holly is in green, and Stella is in red.”
“Oh my gosh.” She laughs. “That is truly pathetic.” But she slips her hand into his.
“I’m going to the bar,” Garrison says. He and James both came back for the party tonight, and so did a few more of their teammates that were close enough to drive up.
“I’ll come with you.” James looks to Felix. “Walters?”
“Yep.” He pops the p and nudges Teddy. “A couple of hot chicks just walked in alone. Let’s go talk to them.”
Felix takes a step and pauses, waiting for Teddy. An awkward beat passes between them. Oh no. We didn’t plan for this. Felix still doesn’t know, and of course, he wants his best wingman to troll for girls with him. The thought of Teddy talking to other girls, of them flirting with him and thinking they have a shot of going home with him tonight, makes jealousy course through me.
“No thanks, man.” Teddy laces our fingers together and takes a step toward the dance floor.
My pulse races as I watch my brother stare at our joined hands. Felix’s dark brows rise, and I can see understanding slowly dawn on his face. “My sister, really?”
Heat trickles up my neck.
Teddy seems completely unfazed. He smiles. “The only hot chick I want to talk to is right here.”
Felix makes a gagging sound. “Can everyone stop referring to my baby sisters as hot?”
“Sorry, buddy. Your sister is hot, and I like her.” His gray eyes pool with warmth. “A lot.”