Page 31 of The Sinner’s Desire (The Sinner’s Touch #1)

“I ran into Rafe Oviedo the other day,” Ben says after we place our orders at the restaurant. “He told me you and Martina became friends.”

“Yeah, we did. Which is amazing, right?”

“Why?”

“Because we’re opposites. Martina is effortlessly popular, and I have a hard time making friends.”

“Still?”

“Yeah. I hoped that when I came back to Boston things would be different. In Paris, besides Martina, I was really alone. But judging by my first week of classes here, it looks like my life’s staying the same.

In France, I could blame it on the cultural gap, but now?

I’m in my own country, in my own city, and the only people I’ve talked to since I got back are older guys. ”

“That sounds super weird.”

I laugh. “I’m talking about a friend I made—he’s a fashion producer. And the other one is . . . um . . .”

“Is what?”

“A friend of Ethan’s,” I say, not wanting to go into detail. I’m not used to sharing, and honestly, I doubt anyone besides Theo and Martina would even believe me if I said I was dating Amos.

I mean, he doesn’t seem like the dating type.

Amos is a storm. He took over my mind and body and completely possessed me that one night we were together—even though we didn’t do anything that intimate.

Well, unless you count the way he talks, since his dirty words are basically foreplay.

“Lilly.”

“Oops. Sorry.”

“You really haven’t changed. Still daydreaming.”

“No, I guess I haven’t changed much—just enough to decide I’m not going to stay at Nora’s house.”

“And how’d she take that?”

I shrug. “Not well, but it’s not like my relationship with my mom was ever great, right?”

He looks at me quietly.

“What?”

“I was thinking about what you said—about not being popular. Do you really want that, or do you just want it because you think people will like you more if you are?”

“Says the star football player and law student.”

“Wow, looks like our moms kept my file updated over the years.”

“Yeah, she’s really proud of you.”

He shrugs this time. “She’s more like Nora than you’d think. Now answer my question.”

“I don’t want to connect with people just to be popular. That’s not the point. I really want to learn how to make friends.”

“You do know how to make friends. Aren’t you close to the Oviedo girl?”

“Yeah, but just her. I don’t want to be the weird girl. Someday I’ll have kids and they’ll look up to me. I don’t want to raise little humans who don’t know how to socialize.”

“ Whoa ! Where did that come from?”

“What do you mean?”

“Kids. Raising babies.” His face is pure agony. “You’re two years younger than me, and you’re already thinking about that? We’ve got, like, a whole decade ahead of us!”

I laugh. “There are girls my age who are already single moms, Ben. There’s nothing wrong with thinking about marriage and kids.”

“Tell me about your life right now,” he says, clearly changing the subject to escape the baby talk.

The waiter brings our food, and I watch him in silence for a moment, remembering how he was as a kid.

“You said I haven’t changed, but you have,” I say. “You used to be so shy. Was it football that made you open up?”

“I think the sport helped a lot.”

“With women?” I tease.

“Yeah.”

“What’s with you guys not wanting anything serious? Ethan’s already thirty and still bouncing from girl to girl.”

He doesn’t say anything, so I pretend to scold him.

“Code of silence, huh? Like, don’t say anything that might get you in trouble?”

“Something like that.” He smiles, but then a few seconds later, his face turns serious. “I could change my mind about that.”

“About what?”

“Being with just one person.”

I take a sip of my juice. “Got someone in mind?”

He gives me a charming smile. “At this exact moment.”

I’m so startled I choke—and he barely avoids a spray of juice thanks to my quick reflexes with the napkin.

“It wasn’t an attempted murder. It was a date invitation.”

Oh God. Talk about an awkward situation.

“Can I be honest . . . and still have you like me afterward?”

“Are you seeing someone?” he asks, genuinely surprised—and if I were a little more sensitive, I’d be offended.

Am I really that odd-looking that no one could imagine me having a boyfriend?

“Yes, I’m seeing someone. But that’s not really the point. I’m just . . .not attracted to you that way. Don’t take it the wrong way—you’re one of the most handsome guys I’ve ever met. But kissing you would feel like kissing Ethan.”

“Jesus, Lilly. You just landed a knockout punch and sounded sweet at the same time.”

“That hasn’t changed either, Ben. I’m still honest. I really want to keep our friendship. I’m glad we’re at the same school, but it’s never going to be more than that.”