Shay wasn’t the touchy-feely type, so I knew she wasn’t about to rush over to hug me, but she did do something I didn’t expect. She locked the door and came to stand beside me, leaning against the counter. “I know I’m dating your brother. But I’m also your friend. I don’t have to tell him anything you don’t want me to tell him.”
“Thank you.”
“If you need me, I’m here. I can listen. I can give you advice. I can say nothing. But you are not alone.”
“Wow, Shay. You’re good at this.”
“What?”
“Being someone’s friend.”
She bit back a grin.
I motioned with my head toward the door. “I’ll wait out there for you. We can catch up this week—if you still want to.”
“You bet.”
We headed back out to join the rest of the people celebrating Kason and Thayer. We met up with the two of them and their snowboarding friends by the bar. Kason instantly wrapped his arm over Shay’s shoulders and pulled her into his side, not missing a beat in telling a story. I glanced at Thayer, knowing it could be that easy for us. His eyes held mine for a knowing moment before shifting back to Kason. I wanted to be the center of his universe because when I wasn’t, the void was massive.
“Come on,” Kason said, tugging Shay toward the dance floor. The DJ had just switched from loud music to a slow song. “I asked him to play our song.” She followed willingly, and I loved seeing my brother be the boyfriend I knew he could be.
Thayer inched his way over to my side. “Walk with me.”
I glanced around at all the people still there, as well as my brother now staring into Shay’s eyes as they danced.
Thayer whispered. “You’re my best friend’s sister. No one will think anything of us talking. We’ve done it for years.”
I turned away first, and he walked beside me. We stopped at the dessert table. Thayer picked up a brownie and popped the whole thing into his mouth.
“Kason said you’re still staying with your parents,” he said with his mouth full. “When are you going back to your condo?”
I tilted my head to the side as if that was enough of an answer.
“G,” he said, almost as if I should’ve told him.
But why would I? We hadn’t spoken in a week. “It’s fine. I’ll be fine.”
“Of course you’ll be fine,” he said, and I could almost see the wheels turning in his head. “But, in the meantime, we need to do something about this.”
“We?” I asked.
“You and me,” he said matter-of-factly.
“I thought there was no you and me?”
“Then you’re lying to yourself,” he said. “Let me stay at your condo with you tonight.”
“No.”
His brows shot up.
“He told me he knew where I lived,” I whispered like a terrified child.
Thayer closed his eyes, and I knew it took everything in him not to wrap me in his arms and comfort me in the middle of the crowded banquet hall. When he opened his eyes, they transformed from sad to plotting. “Move in with us.”
“What?” I nearly shrieked.
“You heard me.”