into the mix, right away.”
Her features were beginning to soften as she listened to his reasoning, but her arms crossed over her chest. Not quite ready to give in.
“I suppose.”
“You love Jake, don’t you?” Corey pressed on, sensing her weakness for him.
“Well, of course I do.” “Then, why don’t you let me bring you home and have him make it up to you. Trust me, I know Jake very well, he has to be a complete wreck with you gone.” Karly smiled to herself, her mind surely going to the fiancé she obviously loved.
“Sorry to come over so late,” she apologized sheepishly.
Corey shrugged, taking the hot chocolate from my hands fortifying himself with a large gulp. “It’s what you do.”
“Well, mom lives thirty minutes away, plus you know Lainey and Abby would freak out at me if I showed up at this time. Which reminds me—you’re usually up this late shutting down the bar—what are you doing asleep?”
“Been switching up my hours, is all. This way I’m not closing anymore.”
“Oh yeah…any particular reason?” Her eyes shifted to me.
“Just don’t want to spend every night dealing with the same bullshit with work.”
“You seem happier, Core, your skins glowing.”
“My skin’s glowing?” he asked sarcastically.
Karly nodded, I looked over to see Corey look down at his bare arms. “Like I need to go to the doctor?” We both laughed.
“No, everyone knows when you’re happy your skin is healthy. Has a nice glow to it, isn’t that right, Dani?”
Corey turned to face me. “Is that true?”
“It is, skin definitely benefits from happiness.”
His face cracked into a smile that reached his eyes.
We were mere inches apart and I had the sudden overwhelming urge to kiss him. However, kissing Corey in front of his sister—when I knew the first thing she’d do is tell their family—no way would that be a good thing. I had no problem admitting to myself and others that Corey was a good friend of mine—even saying good friend didn’t do him justice. However, we needed to keep our affectionate side locked away in the bedroom.
I wasn’t sure how long I sat staring at Corey before Karly cleared her throat to get our attention. My cheeks and neck grew hot as I turned away from him; Karly was practically glowering at her brother. Obviously, they didn’t see him with women very often.
“Let’s get you home.” He stood; grabbed the empty mugs of hot chocolate from us, and brought them into the kitchen.
Karly and I stood; she took my hand in both of hers with a smile.
“It was great meeting you, Dani. I really hope it’s not the last time I see you.”
“It was nice meeting you too, and congratulations.”
“Thanks.” She said her grin widening. “Core, I’ll go wait in the car.”
“Hang on a sec.” Keys jingled as they came in the air at Karly, she caught them without a problem. “You can warm it up so you’re not sitting in a cold car. Just remember I drive stick, so you can’t just start it.”
“Yeah, yeah—not the first time I’ve had to start your car,” she reminded him, leaving me with a wink.
Corey came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, pressing his face into my hair.
“I really am sorry about that.” He loosened his grip so I could turn to face him.
“Don’t be, she’s sweet. Besides, it’s cute that you are such a good big brother.”
“Oh yeah? Does it make my skin glow nice and pretty?” I laughed and nuzzled my face into his chest.
“Very nice.”
“Well, I should probably go bring her home now before she comes back up here with another problem she forgot about.”
“Alright, well I can just grab my stuff and head out too. I mean I’m feeling better now.” Corey pulled my face back so I could see the flash of concern in his eyes.
“Dani, I don’t want you to go. I just got you here. Please, don’t leave while I’m gone.”
“Okay I won’t, if you tell me why it’s so important to you for me to be here.” Corey shrugged, brushing a strand of hair out of my face.
“I don’t know but since I first met you Dani, I have wanted nothing more than to just be near you. You’re not like anyone I’ve ever met before, and I like it.” The thought of heading home tonight was completely out the window now.
“I’ll be here when you get back.” He smiled and leaned down. He scooped me into his arms, walking us back to