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“That is not a lie.”

I peeked over at him, and I knew there had to be a question carved in my brow because he sighed and sat back.

A beast overflowing his chair.

He raked big fingers through his hair as he shifted his attention out the window, mumbling, “Gonna tell him soon, Elena.”

My nod was uncertain. “I just⁠—”

He suddenly surged forward, leaning so far over the table he might as well have completely crawled across it. “I hate it, too. Every second that I don’t get to claim you in front of everyone kills me.”

He hesitated, then rushed, “I want to shout it, baby. Want to climb onto this rooftop and shout your name so loud that every motherfucker within a hundred miles can hear it. And as soon as your brother knows, that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

I saw what he kept back.

That was if Silas didn’t end him first.

I jolted when tinkling laughter broke into our bubble, and I looked up to find a woman standing at the side of our table.

“I’m so sorry to interrupt.”

She appeared a little wary, biting her lip as her attention jumped from me to Trevan like she was worried he was a viper that might strike.

She had warm blond hair that she had up in a ponytail, and she was probably close to my age. And she looked really freaking familiar.

“Oh, I know you,” I said when it finally clicked. “You live at the same complex as me. You have the little girl.”

Who I was seemed to dawn on her, too. “That’s right, I’m Rylee. You live in 2D.”

“Yep. And oh my gosh, I am so sorry I have never been over to introduce myself. I mean, I think we’re pretty much the same age. We should definitely already be hanging out.”

She chuckled conspiratorially. “Well, you always seem a little…busy.”

Her appraisal was back on Trevan. But only for a flash.

I giggled a soft sound. “Oh, looks are deceiving. We’ve just been super busy getting the store opened next door.”

Surprise lifted her brows. “You’re the owner? I’ve been wanting to go over there to check it out after one of my shifts, but it always seems to take me forever to get out of here, then I have to run to pick up Avery from the sitter.”

“Your daughter?”

Pride filled her cheeks. “That’s her.”

“She is sooo freaking cute, I don’t even know how you stand it. I have a nephew who’s probably a couple years younger than her, but we should take them to the park to play or something.”

“I think I would like that.”

“It’s settled then,” I said. “Here, give me your number. Plus, you know where I live, so you can just pop over any time.”

Trevan nudged me under the table.

Any time was probably not a prudent invitation, considering we were going at it most of the time. I could only grin as I dug out my phone.

She uttered them quietly, and I quickly saved her contact info.

Rylee in 3A

Rylee smiled softly. “I’m really glad you came in today. And I should probably get to what you came in for. Do you know what you’d like?”