Cara Playing Cupid

Chapter 17 - Brothers

"You're such an idiot." Sophia shook her head. "Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?"

"What's the point in confessing a crush on a guy who hates me?" I shrugged.

"He does not hate you." I gave her a deadpan look, and she added. "Okay, maybe he did at first, but it's different now."

I raised an eyebrow. "Different? How?"

"Girl, he's offered you help! I've seen him watching you during lunch breaks-"

"Wait, what?" I frowned.

"Remember when I asked about him in the cafeteria on Monday?"

"Yeah?"

"He was staring at you like you were the only girl there."

"What? No way!" I shook my head, dismissing it. "You got it wrong-"

"When I opened the door earlier, he had this huge grin that faded when he saw me." She smirked. "It was like he was waiting for you."

"That still doesn't add up."

"Why not?"

"Have you forgotten he likes Daphne?" I reminded. "And all the struggle we did to keep them apart."

"Yeah, but maybe it's a misunderstanding-"

"Sophia, I've heard it straight from him." I pointed out.

She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She seemed like she was having a war in her head, deciding what to believe, and a minute later, she sighed. "Fine."

"Now that it's settled." I passed her some snacks and grabbed Daphne's cookies. "Let's go. Daphne must be dying alone out there."

Sophia grumbled as we walked out of the kitchen toward the living room. My expression soured when I spotted Samuel lounging in my spot, the boys laughing at something he said. Daphne was also giggling, and she seemed relaxed.

"What's so funny?" I arched my brow at Samuel. "Care to share?"

"Nothing." He gave me a smug grin as he ran a hand through his curly hair that looked like a bird's nest.

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes as I placed the cookies on the center table. "Elijah, try these." I passed him the cookies. "Dap-"

"Daphne made these?" He cut me off, taking a cookie. "Thanks for the box you gave earlier." He passed Daphne a smile. "They were delicious."

I side glanced at Blake to see him already watching me. I had a feeling he wouldn't give the cookies to Elijah from the study date, but he surprised me.

"T-hanks." Daphne blushed and ducked her head.

"I haven't tried them." Samuel interrupted and picked a cookie. He took a bite and his face lit up. "F**k, these are good!"

Daphne's face turned crimson as Elijah and Samuel gushed over her baking skills while I glanced around, desperate to find somewhere to sit. Samuel had taken my usual spot, and the only available seat left was wedged between Blake and Sophia.

It wasn't the placement that was the problem. It was the space. After what happened earlier, I didn't want to sit anywhere near Blake. As I hesitated, Sophia yanked me down beside her. I stumbled slightly and awkwardly dropped onto the spot between her and Blake. I shot Sophia a glare, but she just smirked, amused by my discomfort.

I moved and the moment my knee brushed Blake's again, a wave of heat rushed to my face. My whole body tensed and I shifted as far as I could toward Sophia, practically falling into her lap in my haste to create some distance.