Shay sneezed. Covering her nose with one hand, she reached for the bag I was carrying. Instead of finding the shopping bag, her hand collided with my chest. I wanted it to continue its journey south. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. She ripped her hand away as if she were touching a hot stove.
"Tissue!" she said desperately.
I obediently rifled through the shopping bag. There were lozenges, paracetamol and a box of 500 tissues. I handed the tissue box to Shay and she tore through it, in her haste revealing some of the snot running down her face.
Wild, feral eyes met mine when I laughed.
"You sexy beast, you," I teased.
Shay had a handful of tissues to her nose now, blowing and wiping the mucus away. With her free hand, she threw the tissue box at me. I grabbed it, the shopping bag rustling with my movements.
"You are the worst best friend in the history of best friends," Shay said, glaring at me. Her voice was hoarse. And part of me wanted to tuck her into bed, run a soothing hand through her hair, and make her a steaming cup of honey and lemon water.
The other part of me wanted to join her in bed, run my lips over her hot to the touch brow, down the gentle slope of her neck and over her collarbones.
Was it bad to that I wanted an upgrade from best friend to boyfriend?
"Hey, I came with you to get these, didn't I?" I defended myself, lifting the shopping bag and tissue box as evidence.
Shay grumbled in answer. "Believe me, that's the only reason I'm not throwing these dirty tissues at you."
Shay slowed her steps as a family of ducks waddled across the path.
"You do realise you're the alpha in this situation?" I said, bemusedly.
"Shhh." Her steps slowed further. "Have you never been attacked by an angry duck? That shit is the scariest thing ever."
Scarier than admitting your feelings for your best friend?
"Shay," I started, watching as she tiptoed around the last duckling. "Late at night, do you ever want someone else in your bed?"
"What are you saying?" she glanced sidelong at me, a frown creasing her features. "Are you asking if I want a boyfriend?"
Stopping in my tracks, I drew in a deep breath. "No, I'm asking if you want me as your boyfriend."
Shay stopped as well, peering up at me in concern. "You're asking me this now, while I'm sick?"
I shrugged. "Take it as a compliment. Even sick, you're the most gorgeous girl I know."
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you were the sick one," Shay said, taking a step closer and laying her hand on my forehead. Too soon, she pulled her hand away. "No signs of a fever."
"Please, Shay. Put me out of my misery." The anticipation was killing me. All I wanted was her. "I can handle the truth."
She sighed. "The truth is, you've worn me down with your smart mouth and incessant company. I haven't looked twice at another guy in forever."
A grin broke free of me and I dropped the shopping bag I was carrying. Tugged her closer. Just as my lips were about to touch hers, she weakly protested. "Andrew, I'm sick."
"I want you to make me sick."
That was it. Shay kissed me, hands on my ass pressing my hips into hers, tongue caressing mine. When she pulled away, a moan left my reddened lips. I loved that she didn't hold back.
"You asked for it," she waggled her finger at me, "just remember that when you're having late-night sweats."
"I think you should sleep with me tonight, just to make sure I get sick properly."
She rolled her eyes, a smirk turning the corners of her mouth. "Nice try, I expect a date first."
"Okay," I agreed, grinning. "Are you free tonight?"
She laughed.