“Since about an hour ago,” I whispered back, glancing across the sandy beach to the table where Nora had just stepped away to grab another drink with Alessi.
“And how exactly did that come about?” Lucy’s brows lifted, clearly intrigued by this new development.
I shifted my weight on the sand, watching Nora as she laughed at something Alessi said, the setting sunlight catching in her curly hair.
“She needed a fake boyfriend for the weekend.” I shrugged, deciding to just go with the truth. “And I offered to fill the position.”
“You just offered?” Lucy asked, her blue eyes skeptical. “So this has nothing to do with the fact that I suggested you try putting yourself out there a little more?”
“Maybe I decided to take your advice,” I admitted.
“Well, good.” She smiled then. “Because I’m actually kind of proud of you.”
“You say that as if it’s a big deal.” I chuckled, shaking my head slightly.
“That’s because it is,” she said lightly. “You voluntarily stepped into a fake relationship with a girl you’re interested in, knowing that PDA would be part of the equation. That’s major progress.”
I didn’t respond to that.
Mostly because I knew she was right.
So instead of denying the big steps I’d taken this week, I followed my sister’s gaze back to Nora. She was walking toward us now, brushing her hair over her shoulder as she laughed at something Alessi said.
Her eyes moved over the group of us standing around the tables and chairs that had been set up for tonight’s barbecue, offering smiles to the various people until they landed on me.
And when her smile broadened, her eyes glittering with happiness, my chest tightened with anticipation.
“Yeah,” Lucy murmured, making a quiet tutting sound beside me. “You’ve got it bad for my best friend.”
“Shh,” I said, worried Nora might overhear.
But Lucy just laughed, clearly entertained.
And before I could say anything else, Nora stepped up beside me, her fingers slipping into mine like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Like she didn’t even have to think about it.
ButIdid.
I couldn’t help but notice the way her hand fit in mine.
Revel in the way her thumb brushed over my knuckles.
Lucy’s smile widened when she noticed it. Then leaning closer, she said, “I’m going to go find Owen before I say something I shouldn’t.”
“Good plan,” I muttered.
She gave Nora a quick hug as she passed. “We’re going to talk about this little arrangement you and my brother have going on later, okay?”
“Definitely,” Nora said.
And then it was just us again.
The fire crackled behind us, music playing softly from Ky’s speaker, voices overlapping as people talked and laughed.
“You having fun?” I asked, glancing down at Nora.
“I am,” she said, her smile easy as she leaned her head on my shoulder. “This is really nice.”