Perry drums his fingers against the table, considering me for a long moment. “Yes, maybe—if the stars align and we can bring all the pieces together in time. I’d still be taking a financial risk, but if there’s even the smallest chance this festival of yours can save my business and show my dad he can’t control my life? It’s worth it.”
“So, is that a yes?”
Grinning, he smacks his palm on the table. “Yes.”
I let out a happy shriek. I can’t help it. “This festival is going to be a hit. I can feel it.” Springing off my stool, I circle the island and wrap him in a tight hug.
His arms twine around my waist and he tugs me closer. “Thank you,” he murmurs, his breath stirring my hair against my neck.
“For what?” I whisper.
“For being you.”
Grinning to myself, I let out a long, slow breath that comes out more like a sigh. I should step away now, disconnect from the hug, but something inside me resists. His arms are sturdy and warm against my back, and his rich, woodsy scent invades my senses. After the emotional roller coaster of the day, Perry is as solid and reassuring as an anchor. And I don’t want to let go.
Apparently… neither does he.
His arms tighten around me slightly, and my breath catches in my throat. He’s still sitting on his tall barstool, and I’m standing between his legs. Our bodies are fitted together so tightly I can feel every rise and fall of his chest like the rolling waves of an ocean. His thumb strokes the dip of my waist—a small, seemingly unconscious gesture—and my heartbeat accelerates like a rocket.
What am I doing?
Perry is Devin’s brother. And I ended things with Devin barely an hour ago, and now here I am… with my arms around Perry… and… I… I want…
I don’t know what I want.
A few weeks ago, I thought Devin and I were cosmically connected thanks to the universe depositing him into my life like a Christmas gift in a stocking. But now, I can’t ignore that I feel something very different standing here with Perry. Something I can’t quite name—or explain. But I also feel guilty.
Devin thinks he can earn back my trust—and rekindle our relationship someday—and maybe we will, but maybe we won’t… And I’m also most definitely feeling something for Perry, which I refuse to admit because, hello, it’s Perry, and…
Clearing his throat, Perry loosens his hold. The movement snaps me back to myself. Right, we’ve officially been hugging for way too long and now it’s awkward. As I begin to unloop my arms from around his shoulders, I glance at his face and ohhhh shit, that was a mistake.
Longing burns in the emerald depths of his eyes like twin coals. My lungs seize. The intensity of his gaze simultaneously knocks me back and draws me in like a butterfly to a bloom. My eyes drift downward, and I stare at the sensual line of his upper lip, as sleek as a bow, and the glistening fullness of his bottom lip. I bet they’re exquisitely soft, like silk. Before I can stop it, my tongue sneaks out and I wet my own lips. Perry’s nostrils flare and his fingers squeeze my hip, igniting a wave of heat in my belly.
“Cass?” he whispers.
“Yes?” I ask, still drunk on Perry’s nearness and the imagined softness of his lips.
“You’re standing on my foot.”
“Huh?” I blink up at him.
Raising his eyebrows, he nods meaningfully at his feet. Sure enough, I’m standing on him; my right sneaker is completely covering the toes on his left foot. Horror crashes over me like a bucket of ice water.
“Oh God. Sorry.” I hop back quickly—too quickly—and catch the rubber sole of my shoe against the slick wood floor. Perry steadies me by the arm before I can lose my balance. His palm burns against my overheated skin.
“It’s okay,” he says through a sardonic smile. The apples of his cheeks are flushed and his eyes are curiously hazy. He clears his throat a second time before letting go of my arm. “Well, I should probably talk to Devin.”
Right. Devin. He’s still sitting outside, waiting to hear whether Perry is willing to forgive him or not.
“Yes. Good idea. I’ll tell him you want to see him on my way out.”
He frowns. “You’re not staying?”
“I should probably go.” Smoothing my T-shirt, I begin backing toward the door. “I’m sure you guys have a lot of ground to cover, and I don’t want to get in the way. We can start hashing out specifics for the festival tomorrow.”