So, no matter what was going on inside me, I had to push it aside.
Yuna was so pure, so sensitive–almost saint like in her kindness. I couldn’t let my emotions weigh
on her
By the time she and Hayden came back from their little chat, Ed already finished my chia pudding
and had conveniently started stealing from Hayden’s bowl
It was the perfect scene–me sneaking bites, caught in the act. No one would believe I’d been
feeling down just minutes ago.
Yuna took one look at me pilfering Hayden’s food and probably assumed everything was fine
between us We clearly hadn’t fought if I was pulling a move like that
Both Hayden and Yuna blinked at me, surprised, like I’dpletely thrown them off.
scooped another spoonful of the warm chic
another bowl.”
ing and tried to look innocent. “I think. I could go for
“Oh! I’ll make one right now!” Yuna gasped, first looking shocked, then flustered as she hurried to
the kitchen
“No
o need. Let her finish mine,” Hayden said, sliding his bowl over to me.
I couldn’t possibly eat more, but I gave him a quick wink and took a small bite. “It’s fine. I’ll just have
a few. more bites”
“Let’s share it, then,” Hayden replied, leaning in and eating the spoonful I’d just scooped up.
I froze for a second, but Yuna burst intoughter. “You two are even sweeter than the pudding!”
That’s when it hit me–Hayden had totally caught on to my n and was ying along.
Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
Yuna,pletely convinced by our little act, rxed, her earlier worry gone. Hayden and I yed
our roles perfectly, taking turns eating from the same bowl until we’d finished off the warm chia
pudding together.
After Hayden got up to clean the dishes, Yuna pulled me aside. “Keira, I’ve already changed the
sheets for you guys and set out your toiletries. If you need anything else, just let me know.”
“Thanks, Yuna,” I said, using the word deliberately to show her how much I appreciated all the care
she’d been giving us.
It was clear Yuna liked me, and the best way to show I felt the same was to embrace the idea of
being her future sister–inw–no doubt about it.
Yuna turned to Hayden with a teasing smile. “Hayden, you better hurry up and marry Keira. I can’t
let someone else steal her away!”
“Mhm, once you’re all better, I’ll marry her,” Hayden replied,pletely calm, like it was the most
natural thing in the world
Yuna was about to say something when Hayden casually dropped, “Keira’s crashing with you
tonight, so make sure you don’t, like, kick her off the bed or something.”
Both Yuna and I froze. Uh, what? He wasn’t letting me sleep with him? Seriously, he was sending
me to Yuna’s room?
Yuna threw me a confused nce. “Hayden, shouldn’t Keira be sleeping with you?
“We’re not married yet. It’s not appropriate for her to sleep with me,” Hayden replied, all serious like
he was some kind of noble knight. My jaw nearly hit the floor.
Wait, was he for real right now?
Before we got here, he wouldn’t let me sleep without him, even when nothing was happening
between us! And now, in front of his sister, he’s suddenly Mister Morals? Separate rooms? Really?
“Girls need to know how to protect themselves,” he added, like I was some kind of teaching moment
for Yuna not to give it up too fast.
But–wait a second.
Didn’t Yuna ask earlier if Hayden and I had ki
Fourth, even!
And I’d already hinted we hit way past first base.
“You don’t need to use this as an example, I get it,” Yuna shot back, rolling her eyes. “Besides, if
Keira’s with me, are you really gonna sleep that well?”
Hayden nced at me, his ears turning red again. “I’ll sleep just fine,” he mumbled.
“Oh.” I replied, keeping my tone cool. “Well then, sweet dreams.”
Hayden looked at me, but I just linked arms with Yuna. “C’mon, let Hayden finish up. We’re going to
bed.”