“You looked like you could use this.” Placing the beer in my hand, she takes a seat next to me, her knees up to her chest to keep some warmth in.
“You have no idea.” Cheersing her bottle with mine, I take a long swig of the cool amber liquid before dropping my head between my shoulders, needing to compose myself.
“Are you okay?” Turning her head to face mine, Stevie’s blue-green eyes are concerned and sincere.
I hold her stare for a moment, realizing that blue-green doesn’t suffice as an adjective to describe her eyes. The blue is more of a turquoise, the kind you’d find in the brightest, cleanest part of the ocean. The green rims the outside, and it’s dark as if you’re looking through a forest of redwood trees.
And I’m thankful for the distraction they bring me as they pull me into their mesmerizing abyss.
“Yeah, I’m good.”
“Well, thank God because how embarrassing would that be for you if I found you crying on the steps.”
Those pretty eyes glitter with mischief before she hides her knowing smile behind her beer, taking a sip. But her humor brings a much-needed reprieve to my night.
“Thank you for my gift.” She nudges her shoulder into mine.
“Do you like them?” My eyes wander down her legs, noting her new sweatpants.
“I love them. Way too expensive, though.”
“I’m rich, sweetheart.”
“I know.”
“So, where’s my present?”
“Right here.” She motions down her body, which earns a quick, interested brow arch from me. “Nope. That came out wrong. I meant my presence is your present.”
“Sounds good to me.” I scoot another inch closer to her, but still not touching, though I really want to be. “How was your Christmas?”
She looks at me momentarily, searching my face. Maybe wondering if she wants to divulge, I’m not sure. “It was shitty.”
“What happened?”
Stevie takes a long swig before shaking her head. “Just some family stuff. My mom is kind of the worst.”
“Hey, mine too!” The excitement in my tone has nothing to do with sarcasm. She really is terrible, but my enthusiasm causes Stevie to laugh.
“Does your mom make underhanded comments about the way you look or disapproving statements about the direction you’ve taken your life?”
My brows furrow. Screw her mom. The first part of that question has me fired up once again. I know Stevie deals with some body image issues, and I’ve become real protective over that.
“My mom left, so she’s not around to say anything.”
“Shit.” Stevie pauses. “Sorry, Zanders. I shouldn’t have asked that.”
Staying silent, I keep my eyes glued to the steps below me. Stevie is trying to be open with me. Probably best not to make it about myself. “What about your life does she have an issue with?” I shift the conversation back to the pretty girl sitting on the steps next to me.
“Honestly, I’m not sure. I’m not sure if she even knows why. But she constantly compares me to my twin brother, and compared to him, anything I do is pretty unimpressive.”
“Why? Because he’s a professional athlete?”
Stevie’s head snaps to mine. “How did you—？ How long have you known?”
“Since I found you on Instagram a couple of months ago.” My grin has no apology in it.
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Truthfully? Because I don’t give a shit that Ryan Shay is your brother. And I figured you’d tell me if you wanted me to know.”
Her pinched brows soften. Tilting her head, she shoots me a thankful smile.
“So, why didn’t you want me to know?”
Stevie’s shoulders pop in a shrug. “I just thought for once, it’d be nice not to be known as Ryan Shay’s sister. I wanted people to like me for me and not for my sibling.”
“I like you for you.”
Fuck. What is up with me today that I can’t keep my goddamn mouth shut?
Stevie playfully nudges her shoulder into mine. “I know. You’re practically obsessed with me.”
Thank God for her teasing. I’m not ready for her to know how hard I’m crushing on my flight attendant just yet.
But I like this. I like talking to her.
I’ve never talked to a girl I’m attracted to. I always keep it surface level and physical because that’s all I want.
But this. I want this.
“I don’t get how your mom could be unsupportive. I mean, you have a full-time job. You found something you’re passionate about on your off days, and you get to travel the country with the sexiest man in Chicago.”