He sent back the rolling-eyes emoji—and I was fairly certain he’d probably done the same action himself before sending it—then added, Ha-ha.
Shut up and come over. I guess we should like, eat dinner and talk about your man, since that’s what friends do and all. I hit Send, then watched my phone, which made me put it down because I didn’t need to watch it, and yeah, I picked it up again.
I was gonna make a stir-fry, he texted. Want me to bring the stuff over?
Well, shit. That was a surprise. I thought I’d have to work him into it more. I do like a good stir-fry…
Who doesn’t? I’ll be there in a min.
I shot a quick text to Will, letting him know I was staying in. He replied, Oh, thank fuck. I was getting tired of hangin’ with you. Are you still trying to woo your twink? What the fuck is up with that shit anyway???
My stomach twisted. He was off, way off, with his assessment over what was going on with Elijah and me. I’m not wooing anyone. We’re friends. It’s the same as when I hang out with you. Only it wasn’t. Will and I both knew that, because I sure as shit wouldn’t be taking dance lessons with Will. I didn’t try to find things Will liked, simply to do it, which was exactly how I’d been with Elijah.
A few minutes later there was a soft knock on the door. When I opened it, Elijah was there, with bags in his hands and wearing a pair of flannel pajama bottoms and a shirt that said, Don’t fuck with me. I watch true-crime shows and know where to hide the body.
“You like pj’s,” I said.
“I’d rock pajamas all the time if I could.” He swept by me, and I whiffed a hint of peppermint toothpaste. It was on the tip of my tongue to ask if he’d brushed his teeth for me, but I didn’t want him to regret his decision to come over.
He went into the kitchen, and I closed the door and followed him. He began pulling items out of the bag and setting them on the counter: boneless chicken breasts, red and green peppers, onions, mushrooms, broccoli, and zucchini. “Is there anything you don’t like?” he asked.
“Nah, I’m good. If it’s food, I’ll eat it.”
“You sound like Danny.”
Okay, seriously? Was that guy always on his mind? I didn’t think about Will that much, but then, I also didn’t want to bone Will.
“Wait. What was that? You rolled your eyes,” Elijah said.
“I didn’t roll my eyes,” I countered, going to the sink and washing my hands.
“Um, pretty sure I know what I saw with my own eyes.”
“Pretty sure I know what I did with my own eyes.” Christ, I’d rolled my eyes? I hadn’t even realized it.
“I don’t get why you two don’t like each other. I tried to tell him today that you’re not that bad.”
That made me turn, walk over to him, and lean against the counter beside him. This was information I definitely wanted. “First, you used to not like me either. Second, he doesn’t like me because he’s jealous of me, and third, you tried to defend my honor. This is a huge step for us, E. You’re like my knight in shining armor or my prince who slays the evil ogre.”
He cocked a brow. “Danny’s an ogre in this story you’ve created?”
“I mean, if the shoe fits…”
“Shaw!” He smacked my arm. “He’s a good guy. He cares about people, and there isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for me.”
“So, I get he’s not that bad and Danny gets raving praise about his perfectness? Pfft.” I shook my head and went to walk away. I did it playfully, but I was a bit annoyed. I mean, what the hell? I was a good guy. I cared about people, and my ass was dancing with him.
“Hey.” Elijah reached out and touched my waist to keep me from walking away. His fingers were warm and soft against my skin. Damned if a shudder didn’t race through me. “I didn’t mean it like that. Danny isn’t perfect, and I know you’re a good guy.”
This was better. I gave him my most mischievous grin. “So. What do you like about me? Tell me all the things. I want a list, even if it takes us all night because there’s so much on it.”
He chuckled, and it was a good laugh, authentic and full of pleasure. “I’m not doing this with you.” Then, as if realizing he was still holding on to me, he added, “You’re not wearing a shirt,” before ripping his hand away.
“Good observation, but you’ve bruised my ego because you just noticed. I work hard on this chest. Have you seen my Instagram?” I rubbed a hand down my abs. “Five compliments equals kissing it and making it better.”