Chapter Twenty Eight: Fancy
RILEY'S POV
After staying in my room and replaying the embarrassment in my head for about three more hours, I finally decided to get up.
I stepped out of the bathroom, wishing I could've stayed there a little longer.
I threw on a grey hoodie and black shorts, slipped into my flip-flops, and left my hair down before heading downstairs.
The house was too quiet.
On my way down, I didn't see a single soul.
The living room was empty too.
It wasn't until I stepped into the kitchen that I saw someone.
Unfortunately… it was the last person I wanted to see today.
Xander.
He sat on one of the kitchen stools, a mug of coffee in his hand, eyes fixed on his phone. His hair fell slightly over his face, making it hard to read his expression.
I walked over to the counter, pretending to look around.
When I glanced at him again, he was already looking at me.
Of course he was.
And somehow, he didn't look anything like he did this morning. The exhaustion was gone. No dark circles. No tired expression.
Just… him.
I forced an awkward smile and quickly looked away, heading toward the tall fridge by the side of the kitchen.
I grabbed the handle and pulled.
Nothing.
I frowned and pushed.
Still nothing.
Open, you cursed fridge, and stop embarrassing me, I muttered in my head.
I pulled again.
Nothing.
Abracadabra, open now, I—
I froze.
A presence moved behind me.
Before I could react, a finger pressed a small button at the top of the fridge—
—and the door opened easily.
My eyes widened.
Not because of what he did.
But because his hand had closed over mine on the handle when he opened it.
I spun around, already sure my cheeks were as red as tomatoes.
"I… you… why—" I stopped, my words failing the moment I realized how close we were.
Barely inches apart.
I swallowed.
"That… it wasn't there before," I stuttered, pointing vaguely at the fridge like that would somehow save me.
He stared at me for a second.
Then he lowered his head slightly, bringing us to eye level.
My breath hitched.
I forgot how to breathe.
"It was," he said simply.
Before I could react, he lifted his hand and lightly patted the top of my head, then straightened back to his full height like nothing had happened.
My lips parted, a protest forming—
and immediately dying.
Before I could think of anything to say—
"You two gossip like girls."
I turned sharply toward the entrance.
Jason and Mason stood there, peeking into the kitchen.
"Why did you have to sneeze right now?" Mason said, glaring at Jason.
"But I covered my mouth!" Jason defended.
They continued arguing like I wasn't even there.
I stood frozen, still trying to recover from the embarrassment.
Xander had already gone back to his seat, sipping his coffee like nothing had happened.
Like nothing happened.
I turned and walked out before my brain could fully process everything.
I flopped onto my bed, burying my face into my pillow and letting out a muffled scream.
My cheeks were still burning as the scene replayed in my head.
The closeness.
The way he looked at me.
The head pat.
And the worst part?
I had closed the fridge… without taking anything.