Chapter 55: What Has Changed

Rebecca's POV

I was already awake. The moment I heard water running in the bathroom, I instinctively glanced toward the door.

The water stopped, and through the dissipating steam, a figure grew clearer, moving slowly toward the door.

My heart clenched. I stared at the silhouette behind the frosted glass, pulse quickening.

Last night replayed in fragments: Everett's coldness, Daphne's birthday party, Steven's solid arms, the heat of his body against mine.

Just thinking about Steven made my face flush.

His shadow paused at the bathroom door. Vague movements suggested he was toweling off. He was about to come out.

The second I realized this, I threw myself back onto the bed. As long as neither of us acknowledged what happened last night, maybe we could pretend there was still some way out of this. I squeezed my eyes shut, feigning sleep.

The bathroom door opened. My heart hammered against my ribs, and my breathing turned deliberately slow and deep.

The mattress dipped on one side. I could feel him sitting beside me.

But what the hell was I supposed to do now?

I had no idea how to face him. Everything had happened so fast. I hadn't had time to sort through any of it.

I could only pray he'd think I was still asleep and leave on his own.

But he didn't leave. Instead, he started telling the story of Sleeping Beauty.

The prince kisses the sleeping princess and wakes her. But I was only pretending to sleep.

When someone doesn't want to wake up, they can ignore anyone who comes near.

I swallowed hard, hoping he was just making casual conversation and didn't actually plan to follow through.

Then I felt his hand press into the mattress beside me, and my heart leapt into my throat.

No more guessing. He was definitely testing me on purpose.

He deliberately slowed his movements, clearly gauging my reaction.

Of course. He was a soldier. He must have seen through my pathetic act ages ago.

I snapped my eyes open and met his gaze. His eyes held laughter, the kind of warmth you reserve for someone you truly care about.

But how could I be that person? I'm his brother Everett's girlfriend.

God, he looked good. Sunlight fell across his skin, making him look almost luminous.

I cursed myself silently. I was the one who crossed the line first. Under his gaze, I could only drop my eyes.

Even if he blamed me now, or worse, I probably wouldn't fight back. After all, last night I was the one who insisted he stay. I made the first move.

I thought he'd bring up last night, but instead his hand landed on top of my head, gently mussing my hair. "Good morning, my princess."

At those gentle words, I looked up instinctively. His smile was genuine. Sunlight caught him from the side, softening the usual hard edges of his features.

His face burned itself into my memory. His voice was low and unhurried, washing over me like warm honey, unknotting the tension I'd been carrying.

I must have looked startled, because a low chuckle rumbled from his chest.

He stood, pulled some clothes from a nearby suitcase, and without hesitation started changing right in front of me.

I stared at his back, throat working. It wasn't that I meant to watch, but his proportions were just too damn perfect. I couldn't look away.

I half-suspected he was deliberately teasing me, but I had no proof.

He finished dressing and turned back to the bed. "What do you want for breakfast? I'll make it."

My mind went blank for a beat. I could only nod dumbly. "Anything's fine. You pick."

Steven nodded and left the room.

I kept staring after him until he disappeared from view, and only then did my grip on the sheets slowly loosen.

Opening my palm, I saw red marks where my nails had dug in. I stared at them blankly, drifting.

I'm not usually someone who gets swept up by looks, but Steven's effect on me seemed beyond my control.

I didn't dare replay what I'd just seen. How could anyone have a body that perfect?

And last night, I'd actually shared a bed with him.

He's Everett's brother. Everything last night had been completely unexpected, but when it happened, I'd accepted it with shocking ease.

I looked around my room, my gaze lingering in every corner.

Everything was exactly where it should be, the same colors, the same arrangement, but something felt different. Nothing had moved, yet it all seemed strangely unfamiliar.

My head was a mess. I flopped back onto the bed, hoping a moment of quiet would help me think straight.

My phone kept buzzing beside me. I really didn't want to deal with it, but the ringtone was too grating to ignore, so I grabbed it.

Bella's name flashed on the screen. Why was she calling me at this hour?

I answered, confused. Bella's voice dropped to a whisper. "Rebecca, can you pretend you need me to take your puppy to the vet?"

My brain was already scrambled, and this just made it worse. I don't even have a dog.

Bella's tone turned frantic. "Rebecca, please, just help me out, okay?"

She'd vanished early last night, didn't even stick around for Daphne's arrival. She probably went home with that guy who'd swept her away.

I ventured carefully, "Bella, are you at—"

Bella's voice shot up immediately. "That's right, Rebecca, I'm at home right now! What do you need?"

I held the phone away from my ear. After she finished, I was pretty sure of my hunch, and I suspected she'd put me on speaker.

Whatever. She's my friend. In a situation like this, I should definitely cover for her.

"Bella, perfect timing. Could you take my puppy to the vet? I'll swing by later to pick him up."

Bella's end clearly relaxed. She lowered her voice, speaking to whoever was there. "Sorry, I've got to run. I need to take Rebecca's dog to the vet."

I was trying hard not to laugh until I heard Bella's relieved tone, and then I cracked up. "Bella, please tell me you didn't already sleep with him."

Bella didn't even try to dodge. "What's wrong with having a little fun?"

I shook my head, smiling helplessly. Looks like everyone had quite the night.

Bella breezed through a few more details about last night, then hung up. Just then, there was a knock on my door.