Always Only You by Chloe Liese (z-lib.org).epub

by storm.
“You’re welcome,” he says. “I hope it’s not…” There it is. He scrubs the
back of his neck. “I hope it’s not crossing a line or anything.”
“No, Ren. It’s a very thoughtful gesture from a caring friend.” Ren’s eyes
flicker with something I can’t read. “I mean, I know we work together. But
we’re friends, aren’t we?”
Aren’t we?
“Definitely. Yep. Completely.” He nods, shifting his weight.
Silence falls. I’ve learned how best to try to make small talk. I’m still not
great at it, and I definitely don’t like it, but I’ve memorized some ways to move
through quiet gaps in conversation. I just don’t feel like playing normal right
now. I feel like being the real Frankie with what I’m starting to suspect is the
real Ren. So, I let the idle hum of my fridge, the whisper of crickets outside my
kitchen window serve as our soundtrack. I let myself stare at Ren how I probably
shouldn’t, while he gazes at my mouth with the kind of focus that I’ve only ever
seen him devote to game tape.
The moment bursts like a bubble when the doorbell rings.
Breaking his stare, Ren glances toward the front door. “That’s the Chinese?”
“Unless someone else from the team brought me magnetic-snap slacks.”
He laughs quietly. “Right. I’ll check it, if you want.”
“Thanks, that would be great.” When he turns away, I scramble for the joint I
stubbed out earlier and furiously light up.