Page 10 of Boyfriend From Hell

We sat on the sloped roof right outside my bedroom window.

It was really nice sitting out here, almost nostalgic in a way.

Lights streaked the sky and my brain was warm with wine.

The butterflies from earlier only grew the longer I was with Raios.

Who would have thought sitting on a shabby second floor awning above my downstairs neighbor’s window would be so romantic?

He sat hugging his knees to his chest, his night-kissed hair tousled by the breeze. I turned to look at him properly for the first time—and damn, he looked sweet like that. I mentally kicked myself for thinking he was a weirdo earlier. Gracie will definitely lose her shit when she hears about this.

“What?” He smiled, but didn’t turn to face me, his eyes fixed on the lights in the sky. “I can feel you staring, you know?” His grin widened, causing a hidden dimple to form.

I tensed, “Nothing! I wasn’t staring!” My gaze returned to the shooting stars that danced before us.

He chuckled and I could feel embarrassment reddening my cheeks for the hundredth time that evening.

“So, what are you going to wish for?” he asked, turning toward me.

A half-hearted laugh escaped me, I wanted to look at him, but it felt strangely intimate.

There was something about sitting on this rooftop with a decidedly hot man—who for whatever damn reason thinks I’m beautiful (yeah, that compliment seared itself into my brain).

Am I seriously about to wish upon a star with my neighbor on my roof?

Closing my eyes, I sighed. What would I wish for? Love would be nice—real love. Someone who was genuinely devoted to me, cared for me, showed up for me. Shit, at this point, they would need to worship me.

At one point, I had loved my life with Felix. But now, it just felt like I was stuck in a corner of sorts.

I wish for real, wholehearted love. It felt beyond silly to think.

When I opened my eyes, I could feel Raios’ gaze on me. I turned to find him resting his cheek on his arm, eyes twinkling while his tipsy, lazy smile remained spread across his face.

“So, did you make a wish?” he asked, and I nodded.

“And?” He prodded.

“And nothing, that's against wish-making law. I’m not telling you what I wished for!” I leaned toward him and bumped my shoulder into his gently.

“Did you make a wish?” I wondered and he nodded in return.

What would a guy like him even want? He looked like someone who probably had everything and wanted for nothing.

“And what did you wish for?” I asked, his gaze was so intense, unwavering.

He shrugged and looked away to the sky. The moonlight gathered around his jaw, making him look nothing short of beautiful.

“Well, per wish making law, I must abstain from saying,” he said in a mocking tone, I couldn’t help but laugh.

My stomach muscles ached as laughter bubbled from my lips. It had been so long since I had laughed, in fact, I couldn’t remember the last time I genuinely laughed like this.

Raios leaned into my laughter, his shoulder pressing into mine. Heat radiated from him, sinking into me where our shoulders touched—he ran so hot, I just wanted to curl up beside him and let him wrap around me like a blanket.

When I looked up, I found him already watching me, his gaze so intense it stole the breath from my throat.

His gaze dropped to my lips, before he forced it back up to my eyes.

“You’re devastating,” he said softly. “Your laugh is one of the most beautiful sounds I’ve heard in a lifetime.”

I rolled my eyes as I quietly stitched the compliment into my soul.

He looked away, shaking his head, and laughed. The sound melted across my skin like warm honey—but maybe it was just the wine.

“Do you think some people's paths are meant to cross?” He asked suddenly.

The question caught me off guard, even though it seemed a little deep for what I thought was turning into a lightly romantic moment, but I rolled with it.

I mulled the question over for a moment.

“I’m unsure. I guess I think everything happens for a reason and some things have to happen to lead to other things. Like stepping stones, if that makes sense?” The moment the words fell from my lips I knew they were incoherent word vomit.

“Like, if I never met Felix, then I would likely have never become an author.” And let the rambling commence! “As an example.”

Shut up, Deer!

Raios chuckled beside me.

“I get what you’re saying, that makes sense.” He pressed his shoulder into mine gently.

“And you? Do you think some people are destined to meet, or whatever?”

He nodded as I watched him sip from his glass. His tongue slid between his lips, licking away the excess wine. I couldn’t help but watch the way it slipped so smoothly over his perfect lips.

“I do,” he said so quietly I wasn’t sure if he had said anything at all.