Page 208 of Sweet Nightmare

“Ah.”

That’s all he says.

As if five pairs of eyes aren’t currently sizing him up like he’s a potential son-in-law. And as if he doesn’t look absolutely, ridiculously, unfairly handsome standing there.

Ugh.

As if this situation needed any help getting worse.

His gaze then settles on me, and suddenly, I become painfully aware of every single thing about myself.

My hair. My clothes. The fact that I’m sitting cross-legged on my bed looking like an irritated gremlin. The fact that he’s standing in my doorway looking at me like he doesn’t even care how I look.

My heart skips many beats.

That one’s another traitor.

“What?” I ask, a little too defensively.

The corner of Stephen’s mouth twitches.

It’s clear that he’s fighting a smile.

And the worst part?

He looks adorable doing it.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

Such a traitorous heart. Absolutely no loyalty whatsoever.

“I came to ask if you wanted dinner.”

Silence.

One glorious, blissful second of silence and then five simultaneous squeals erupt from my laptop speakers.

I shake my head, completely embarrassed by my family’s lack of self-control.

Stephen’s smile grows wider and that only makes everything worse.

Because Mom looks ready to ascend directly into heaven. She’s got one hand pressed to her chest and the softest, most unbearably pleased smile on her face, like she’s just witnessed a miracle. Verali is grinning like a psychopath. Allegra has both hands clamped over her mouth, but her eyes are sparkling so brightly I’m genuinely concerned she might burst into flames at any given moment. Willow is signing at approximately the speed of light. I catch something that might be Oh, my God followed by what I’m almost certain is He came to get you for dinner. That’s so sweet, but honestly, her hands are moving too fast for my traumatized brain to process.

And Poe? Poe looks approximately three seconds away from falling out of her chair.

“I can come back later,” he offers.

“No.” The word leaves my mouth so quickly that even I’m surprised.

Stephen’s eyebrow lifts.

Oh, wonderful.

Now I’ve done it.