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His response is faster than I expected.

River: Wasn’t it?

Me: I don’t regret it.

River: Neither do I.

I bite down on my bottom lip as I meet his gaze, the deep green of his eyes visible even from here. It’s like looking into the most lush, beautiful forest you can possibly imagine, and I’m instantly lost in the thick foliage.

He looks back down at his phone seconds before another text comes through.

River: Doesn’t change the fact that this isn’t a good idea.

Me: Stop telling me what is or isn’t a good idea and tell me what you want.

Several seconds stretch between us, to the point that I almost think he isn’t going to respond.

River: You.

My breath hitches as I look up, our eyes locking in place.

I hold his stare for a moment, my heart beating new pathways inside my chest.

I don’t respond to that. Honestly, I’m not sure how to. Add on the fact that Maisie is watching me again and I decide maybe this is a conversation best had when we don’t have an audience.

I tuck my phone away, refocusing on the conversation, even if it’s impossible to keep my mind from drifting back to River’s last text message.You. Such a simple word and yet it holds more possibility than my mind will let my body entertain at the current moment, the vision of us tangled in the sheets, River deep inside of me, too beautiful of an image to fully ignore.

River is the first to leave, with the exception of Dalton and the girls. Well, technically, he’s the only other one to leave, given that the rest of us are staying here, but that’s not really the point. And no, I’m not at all upset by the fact that all I get is a simple head nod in way of a goodbye because, honestly, I got way more out of tonight than I could have hoped.

Lyric and Kai call it a night shortly after. Maisie and I stay in the living room until they go into their separate bedrooms, not wanting to intrude on their good night kiss, which from the sound of it, gets pretty heated.

Once we’re sure the coast is clear, we head into River’s old bedroom. Since Maisie was an unexpected guest and Lyric only has a twin in her bedroom, her only options were to room with me or sleep on the couch. I think it’s clear what she chose.

“So is it just me or did Lyric’s brother get even hotter?” Maisie asks as she flops down on the large bed that takes upmost of the small room. Propping up on her elbows, I feel her gaze on my back as I strip off my top, then reach into my bag to retrieve my nightshirt. “I wouldn’t mind taking him for a ride, if you know what I mean.” She snorts out a laugh.

“Not sure his sister would appreciate that.” I’m careful to keep my voice as neutral as possible.

“Not sure his sister would appreciate the two of you talking behind her back, but that hasn’t stopped you.”

I momentarily forget how to breathe as my brain struggles to process her words.

“What are you on about?” I wrinkle my nose in confusion as I turn back to her.

Her blue eyes crinkle at the edges like she’s trying to piece together an overly complicated puzzle with too many pieces for no reason.

“Are you going to stand there and tell me it wasn’t River you were texting tonight?”

“What?” I choke on a laugh that gets stuck in my throat.

“Seriously?” She pushes herself upright, pretzeling her legs close to her body.

“Seriously what?” Nerves make my insides ache.

“Char.” She gives me a pointed look. “I watched you two all evening. You would get a text and look up and he’d be watching you. He’d smile. You’d smile. Then you’d text back. Rinse and repeat. Did you honestly think I wouldn’t notice? You two were giving some serious vibes, and if Kai hadn’t been there, I have no doubt that Lyric would have noticed too.”

“Maisie, I—”

“Please do not insult me by lying.”