straw, eyes sparkling in that way that tells me she's ab

ably

word out until I roll my eyes.

at you're related. I can'

inning. "Shut up. No. We realized we

e kissing on ou

nd we're kin

. "Oh my God, Gus, does this mean... Ethan's going to give me litt

n't deny it. "Well...maybe som

"Ugh, you're serious. This is serious. Yo

ly how dramatic I'm being but is humoring me anyway. "Yes, Olivi

t. "Fine. But when you two inevitably have babies, I'm not bab

babies that come to mind? Why not me moving in with him

head back to my parents and finally

muffin, only to realize the plate is

standing before

at me like I'm a saint

ugs and a plate with the grace of someone

and snacks we need, I begi

rd. My coffee sloshes, the pastries tumble, and before

but my words die in my throat when tha

and melting every muscle in my body l

, practically bouncing off the walls

to know who it is.

pastries with a sheepish grin. "Guess that's m

dly attractive. Tattoos inked down his arms, eyes sparkling with amuse

today, it frames his face and rests on his

ese," he says be

on't h

counter. "I insist. Think of it as my a

dessert," the voice purrs.

, shut up,

ke glances back at

creeps up my n

can talk to me without s

for

the world would

th effortless ease, balancing both mugs and

not seriously walking me b

, smug and boyish all at o

Zeke? Are you stalking me?"

mischief. "Do you be

You don't even go to this school, heck

at conce

ike harassmen

August. In fact, I try as much as I discreetly can

but... yeah. I'm suddenly insane

e," I say flatly as soo

aw literally drops. Subtle

ing, that something ugly in me wa

I hear you've got Olivia

ow I've lost her. "She exaggerates

g into the seat beside me like he owns t

n, and my blood pr

and August mouths to me,

something ugly in me that wants to wipe

and though it tries to sound relaxed, I can

diculous jokes, exaggerated impressions, and stories that m

g that this is the man she once accused o

he way his tattoos flex when he gestures or how his voice drops w

s, as much as I'll love to stay, I've got s

re to be," I mutter, trying to mask my

always distracts me, not to talk of two."

leans down and pinches my che

skin, heat explodes through me, sh

hine," he murmurs,

ng, body humming like I

attractive man I have ever seen. Did you see his tattoos? They're unreal

forehead onto the t

When you said you were with him that night? Total

ing dark and sharp-jealousy. "August, maybe think

ping her coffee. "Relax.

rks up. "H

n her face shu

about him, okay? Ev

l see abo