Chapter 45

ARIENNE CALLOWAY

I crossed my arms, glaring at Zayn as he tossed the pillow I threw at him onto the couch like he hadn't just been an absolute pain in the ass.

"I'm staying over," I announced, plopping down onto the couch and pulling my legs up.

Zayn raised a brow. "Oh? And who invited you?"

I shot him a look. "Your mom would've if she was here. And since she's not, I invited myself."

Jenni snorted from where she sat on the armrest of the couch. "That tracks."

Lily clapped excitedly. "Yay! Sleepover!"

I ruffled her hair before leaning back into the cushions, stretching my legs across the space in front of me. "Mom's out for some meetings. She told me to stay out of trouble, so here I am."

Zayn scoffed. "Yeah, because this is definitely where you stay out of trouble."

I kicked at his leg. "Shut up."

"Make me," he shot back.

I narrowed my eyes. "Don't tempt me, Carter."

Jenni made a gagging noise. "I swear to God, if you two start flirting in front of me, I'm gonna move out."

I rolled my eyes. "We're not flirting."

Jenni stared at me blankly.

Lily tilted her head. "Are you sure? Because you and Zayn are always looking at each other like—" She squinted her eyes and made some dramatic face that I assumed was supposed to be romantic.

Zayn burst out laughing while I groaned, covering my face. "Lily, stop."

She giggled and hopped onto the couch beside me, grabbing my arm. "Can we paint nails later?"

"Sure, if we find nail polish," I muttered, shooting Zayn a look. "Do you even have nail polish in this house?"

He smirked. "I don't, but I wouldn't mind watching you look for it in my room."

I flipped him off, but he only laughed harder.

Jenni sighed, shaking her head. "You two have too much tension. It's like watching a rom-com but with more insults."

I rolled my eyes. "Can we all stop analyzing my non-existent love life and focus on something important? Like food?"

Zayn leaned against the back of the couch, arms stretched out lazily. "You just got here and you're already raiding my kitchen?"

I lifted my chin. "Of course. What kind of guest would I be if I didn't?"

Jenni sighed, standing up. "Fine, let's order something. I'm too lazy to cook."

Lily jumped up. "Pizza!"

Zayn groaned. "Again?"

I grinned. "Shut up and pay for it."

He shot me a look. "You're lucky you're hot."

My heart stuttered for half a second, but I covered it with a smirk. "Damn right I am."

Lily gasped dramatically. "Ari said a bad word!"

Zayn snickered. "She says a lot of them, Lily."

Jenni sighed. "I swear, this house is a circus."

I just smirked, throwing my legs over Zayn's lap, making myself comfortable. "Better get used to it, Jen."