25. Chapter 25
Dane
The past two weeks have been entertaining.
Because while Daria and I may have reached a new normal in our relationship, she still pretends like she’s not affected by me. It's been fun being the tease for once.
Take last night, for example. I was sitting on the couch reading a book when she plopped down beside me.
“Care if I watch my show?”
I shook my head and patted the spot next to me. “Not at all. Want to move over here?”
Her teasing smirk played with my heartstrings a bit. “I thought we were holding off on physical affection for the time being?”
I could immediately tell by her fluttering eyelashes and flushed cheeks that she was trying to play coy. But she wanted me. Wants me still.
So I sighed heavily and went back to my book. “You’re right. I did say that. If I’m anything, it’s a man of my word.”
The couch dipped as she shifted on her knees to face me. “I mean, I guess we could cuddle. A little. That wouldn’t be crossing any real lines...right?”
I sent her all the side-eye I could muster. “Sounds like a dangerous toeing of the line to me.”
She huffed. “You’re such a stickler for rules.” Grabbing the remote, she turned on the TV, and it took all my effort not to let her see my smile. For nearly twenty minutes, we sat there in silence until finally, finally , she caved.
“Well, if you’re not going to make a move, I’m going to bed.” With that, she clicked off the TV and rose to leave, but I caught her before she made it two steps.
In one quick move, I pulled her onto my lap and cradled her against my chest. “You’re not going anywhere, roomie.”
Her dark eyes glittered in the dim lighting as she caught her breath. “But you said—”
“I know what I said.” My arms tightened around her. “I said it to protect you. To protect what’s blossoming between us.”
Her lips ticked up, and she teased, “Blossoming?”
“Mmhm.” I brushed some of the hair away from her face, ignoring her jab.
“That’s what happens when two people like each other.
Their feelings grow. They grow. Together.
” When her brow furrowed slightly, I continued.
“Think of it like a plant. Starts as a little tiny seed, then with the right amount of sun and water, it blooms into something strong, something beautiful.”
Her throat rippled as she swallowed. “I’ve never been able to keep my plants alive. Jamie has always been so much better at it than me.”
I smiled and gently cupped her jaw with one hand. “Then it’s a good thing I’m willing to put in the work.”
Her expression softened, and I could’ve sworn tears were beginning to well in her eyes, but with a sniff and a blink, they were gone.
“Tell me more about this sun and water stuff,” she said, toying with the hair at the back of my head.
“Since the sun represents heat, I’m guessing that’s the physical side of a relationship? ”
I grinned, loving the way her mind works. “It could be. If you wanted it to be.” Slowly, carefully, I dragged my fingertips up her thigh, over her waist, and up to her ribcage.
She hummed, a little rumble drumming through her chest. “Well. In that case, my leaves are starving. I need more sun lest I die.”
I barked a laugh and squeezed the side of her waist. “Fine. But only this once.” I leaned forward, just far enough to let my lips hover over hers. “Just enough to get you through until you move out and I can take you on our first official date.”
She nodded, brushing her nose against mine. “Just one little ray of light is all I need. I promise.” When her eyes dropped to my lips, I couldn’t take it anymore. I kissed her like I’d been dreaming of doing since the first time we gave in to each other.
There were other moments we almost kissed. We’ve touched; we’ve flirted. We’ve toed the line dangerously close. But last night, we both gloriously, recklessly caved.
She was warm and sweet, so much sweeter than I remembered. My hands instinctively tightened around her back, needing her closer. She let me hold her steady while I explored her lips with mine, teased her pouty bottom lip with my teeth, then her neck, her earlobe.
“Dane,” she breathed, gripping my shoulders. “I’m burning up.”
I let my head fall against her shoulder and laughed. “You and me both, D.”
Something in between a little groan and moan left her throat. “Your mom’s going to hate me.”
I lifted my head and looked into her eyes. “She won’t ever find out. We can hold off for another week, right?”
She nodded eagerly, giving me hope that she really does want this. Maybe even as much as I do.
I kissed the tip of her nose and leaned away. “You should get to bed. You’ve got a big day tomorrow.”
Her nose scrunched in the cutest way. “I know. I’m equal parts excited and nervous. Can’t tell if I want to puke or scream or laugh until I cry.”
“I vote against puking.”
She laughed and rose to her feet, swatting my arm as she went. “You’re so mean. As long as I live, you’ll make me remember that awful night.”
My chest warmed. As long as I live. If only she’d give me that much time. It took all my energy not to drop to my knees right then and beg her for it.
“It was truly epic,” I said instead. “You went from nearly dying in my arms to being dehydrated to waking up right as rain the next day. Gave me whiplash, I think.” I rubbed my neck to drive the joke home.
She rolled her eyes in true Daria fashion before heading toward her room. “What can I say, I rebound fast.” Tossing one last look over her shoulder, she winked. Winked . Then disappeared into her room, and I haven’t seen her since.
But I will tonight.
It’s fashion show day, and she’s been busy at the event center, prepping backstage for what I’m convinced will be the springboard for her career. As far as I know, everyone we know and love is attending.
My parents, my brothers, her friends...even Theo and Max are coming to support me. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous to walk the runway. If I trip or mess up in some way and hurt Daria’s chances of winning, I’ll never be able to forgive myself.
Not to mention the fact that my brothers would never let me live down a fashion show flub. I roll my eyes at the way my inner monologue wants to alliterate everything now. I’ve clearly let Daria’s ways get to me.
I smirk. She is getting to me. In the best of ways.
I do one more bicep curl, then carefully put the weights away. After swiping my sweaty face with a towel, I toss it behind my neck and head for the locker room. I shower, get dressed, and head toward the exit. I’ve only got so much time to eat and get to the event center.
We’ve got a dress rehearsal an hour before Paris Dawson is scheduled to show up and meet the designers.
More than anything, I want to get it all right, if only to ease Daria’s nerves.
Just as I reach the treadmills, a flash of auburn hair catches my eye.
I whirl toward it, panic spiking in my veins.
But no one is there.
I could’ve sworn...
Shaking my head, I brush the feeling off and leave the gym. There’s no way I’m seeing what I thought I saw. It’s just my anxiety flaring up. I’m probably more nervous about tonight than I thought.
When I reach the apartment, I shoot Daria a text.
Me: Can’t wait to see you later. You’re going to do AMAZING tonight.
It only takes her a few minutes to text back.
Daria: Same to you. Please find me as soon as you get here.
My chest warms at the way she’s letting herself care for me. She may not admit it, or even see it the way I do, but she does. And soon, I’ll be able to get her to envision what our life could be like if she dared to give us forever.
The event center’s backstage area feels like organized chaos.
Teams of people mill around clothing racks, while others swarm around large mirrors bordered with big, bright bulbs.
My body tenses on instinct. I don’t love crowds at the best of times, and with my nervous system being a bit out of whack after what I thought I saw at the gym, it’s near stifling in here.
“Oh, there he is,” a feminine voice chirps. “Dane! Over here!”
A waving hand across the room catches my eye. Briar’s familiar smile eases some of the rising tension between my shoulder blades and I start toward her. Jamie appears from behind a clothing rack, smiling wide as I approach.
“Hey,” I say as I reach them. “Where’s our lovely designer?”
They share a look before Jamie gives me a hesitant smile and hooks a thumb over her shoulder. “Our designer might be hiding out in the bathroom. We’re not totally sure.”
My brows pull tight. “Have you gone in to check on her?”
“Three times.” Briar sighs. “She won’t come out of the stall.”
I glance toward the door Jamie pointed at before running a hand down a jacket hanging on the clothing rack. “Are these designs hers?”
Jamie nods and grabs the jacket, holding it against her torso. “Yep. This is her favorite. Says it’s a shacket.”
I bite back a smirk. “A shacket ?”
“Mmhm. A shirt/jacket. Doesn’t it feel awesome?”
“It does,” I say as I give the fabric another tug. “Why don’t I go and talk to her?”
Both girls eye me with something like wonder. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Jamie asks. “I’m not sure what you could say to her that we haven’t already tried.”
I’m reminded then that neither of Daria’s friends knows about us.
They likely still think we’re struggling to get along, or worse, that we hate each other.
Every instinct inside me says to set them straight here and now, but I can’t.
I promised Daria I’d keep our relationship secret until we’re out from under the same roof, and no matter what, I intend to keep that promise.
“Guess it can’t hurt to try then, right?” I lift one shoulder in a half-hearted shrug.
“I guess,” Jamie says. “You go ahead, and we’ll block the door.”
“I’ll be sure to knock first.”
“No one else is in there,” Briar assures me. “We’ve been standing near the door since she went in.”