Daydream (Maple Hills, #3)(72)

“The interior designer needs to be fired,” I whisper to Halle, who is totally engrossed in the movie and her bag of candy.

“Mmm?” she mumbles.

“The artwork doesn’t make sense in this room,” I say.

“How do you feel when you look at it?” she asks, finally taking her eyes off the screen to look at me. Sporting her own set of pink pajamas, she’s braided her hair down each side of her face and taken off all of her makeup. She looks so pretty. And happy. That’s my favorite part.

“Inspired,” I answer.

“What? I thought you said you don’t like it,” she whispers after Mattie and Cami turn around from their floor bed in front of us to shush loudly.

“Doesn’t matter.” I kiss her forehead and her eyes widen, immediately looking around to check that nobody was looking at us. I wish she didn’t care so much about what people think.

When she’s fully focused on the movie, I dig my cell phone out of my pocket.


JAIDEN

I need advice.

So you came to the expert

Great choice

You’re my last resort.

I’m your only hope

Hit me. I’m ready to wow you with my wisdom

How do you know if you’re in the friend zone?

Is this about Halle?

Yes.

You’re not in the friend zone lmao

How do you know?

People in the friend zone don’t get caught making out in hotel rooms with the person who is supposed to be friend zoning them

How the hell do you know about that?

I’m all seeing and all knowing

But yeah, you’re good, brother. Firmly outside of the zone

Why do you ask?

Bobby is a snitch is what you mean.

It was Emilia actually

She now owes me 5 bucks because I called it weeks ago

She thought I might want to hook up with other people.

Then she said we’re still just friends.

Do you want to hook up with other people?

No.

Do you want a relationship?

I don’t really care what it’s called.

It was me not wanting her to date other people that made me make a move in the first place.

After a Robbie pep talk when I was jealous.

That boy really loves a pep talk

Okay, all these things do not put you in the friend zone

But maybe you guys just need to work out what you want out of your situation

Like is it just sex? Is it companionship? Is it both? Is it only when you’re both single?

Has she had a shitty relationship in the past?

Yes. Will Ellington from San Diego.

Yikes. Has anyone told him he’s not that great yet?

I plan to.

Maybe she likes no expectations because she’s still deciding what her boundaries are

Remember you get to set your boundaries too dude

Give it time. It’s new, but if she’s as sweet as everyone says she is you should hang on

So I’m overthinking it?

Seems like it. But you know what I always say

Aunts are hotter than moms?

No

Well yes

But no

Communicate is what I always say. Make sure you’re on the same page

I’ve never heard you say that.

I say it all the time

No you don’t. You told me to stay toxic.

As a test and you passed by being your nontoxic self

Just talk to her, Hen. You’ll work it out.

Okay. Thanks JJ.

You’re welcome, brother.

Dare I ask how hockey is going?

Okay so you’re gonna leave me on read

I see how it is

It’s a good job I love you

Love you, too, J



I feel a lot better when I lock my phone and slip it back into my pocket. Beside me, Halle has fallen asleep, and I let Aurora put on one more movie before I admit defeat and carry Halle to bed. She doesn’t even wake up when I lose my grip on her because of these ridiculous satin pajamas we’re both wearing and accidentally drop her onto the bed. She’s definitely breathing—I’ve checked twice.

As soon as I climb in beside her, she thankfully shows some sign of life by rolling over to lie on my chest and put her thigh across me like she always does. I brush her hair from her face and she hums happily, her eyes opening slowly. “Why are you so tired?”

“Up late. Busy day. Are we in our room?” she mumbles.

“No. You’re trying to straddle me in the lounge in front of everyone.”

It’s like I’ve doused her in cold water; her eyes snap open and she pushes herself up with her elbow to look around the room. “You’re an asshole,” she says, sinking back down to lie on my chest. “That’s one way to wake me up.”

“Do you want to go back out there? You slept through the end of Legally Blonde and Cruel Intentions, but I think they’re about to put Just Like Heaven on. Aurora really likes old Reese Witherspoon movies.”

Halle yawns and shakes her head. “I’m happy here with you. On our own. In this huge bed.”

“Are you trying to seduce me?” She’s staring up at me with anticipation. I drag my thumb across her bottom lip and watch her breathing slow. I lean in and she lifts her head to kiss me gently.