Unravel Me: The Juliette Chronicles Book 2

and the impressive lines of his cheekbones are appled up into a smile struggling to stay suppressed. He’s looking at me like I’ve been walking around with toilet paper in my hair and I can’t help but wonder why I haven’t spent time with him since we got here. He did, on a purely technical level, save my life. And Adam’s life. James’, too.
    Kenji bends down to pick up what looks like a wadded ball of socks. He weighs them in his hand like he’s considering throwing them at me again. “Where are you going?” he says. “I thought you were supposed to meet me here? Castle said—”
    “Why did you bring a pair of socks in here?” I cut him off. “People are trying to eat.”
    He freezes for only a split second before he rolls his eyes. Pulls up beside me. Tugs on my ponytail. “I was running late to meet you , your highness. I didn’t have time to put my socks on.” He gestures to the socks in his hand and the boots on his feet.
    “That’s so gross.”
    “You know, you have a really strange way of telling me you’re attracted to me.”
    I shake my head, try to bite back my amusement. Kenji is a walking paradox of Unflinchingly Serious Person and 12-Year-Old Boy Going Through Puberty all rolled into one. But I’d forgotten how much easier it is to breathe around him; it seems natural to laugh when he’s near. So I keep walking and I’m careful not to say a word, but a smile is still tugging at my lips as I grab a tray and head into the heart of the kitchen.
    Kenji is half a step behind me. “So. We’re working together today.”
    “Yup.”
    “So, what—you just walk right past me? Don’t even say hello?” He clutches the socks to his chest. “I’m crushed. I saved us a table and everything.”
    I glance at him. Keep walking.
    He catches up. “I’m serious. Do you have any idea how awkward it is to wave at someone and have them ignore you? And then you’re just looking around like a jackass, trying to be all, ‘No, really, I swear, I know that girl’ and no one believes y—”
    “Are you kidding?” I stop in the middle of the kitchen. Spin around. My face is pulled together in disbelief. “You’ve spoken to me maybe once in the two weeks I’ve been here. I hardly even notice you anymore.”
    “Okay, hold up,” he says, turning to block my path. “We both know there’s no way you haven’t noticed all of this ”—he gestures to himself—“so if you’re trying to play games with me, I should let you know up front that it’s not going to work.”
    “What?” I frown. “What are you talking abou—”
    “You can’t play hard to get, kid.” He raises an eyebrow. “I can’t even touch you. Takes ‘hard to get’ to a whole new level, if you know what I mean.”
    “Oh my God,” I mouth, eyes closed, shaking my head. “You are insane .”
    He falls to his knees. “Insane for your sweet, sweet love!”
    “Kenji!” I can’t lift my eyes because I’m afraid to look around, but I’m desperate for him to stop talking. To put an entire room between us at all times. I know he’s joking, but I might be the only one.
    “What?” he says, his voice booming around the room. “Does my love embarrass you?”
    “Please— please get up—and lower your voice —”
    “Hell no.”
    “Why not?” I’m pleading now.
    “Because if I lower my voice, I won’t be able to hear myself speak. And that,” he says, “is my favorite part.”
    I can’t even look at him.
    “Don’t deny me, Juliette. I’m a lonely man.”
    “What is wrong with you?”
    “You’re breaking my heart.” His voice is even louder now, his arms making sad, sweeping gestures that almost hit me as I back away, panicked. But then I realize everyone is watching him.
    Entertained.
    I manage an awkward smile as I glance around the room and I’m surprised to find that no one is looking at me now. They’re all grinning, clearly accustomed to Kenji’s antics, staring at him with a mixture of adoration and something else.
    Adam is staring, too. He’s standing with his tray in his hands, his head cocked and his eyes confused. He smiles a tentative sort of smile when our gazes meet.
    I head toward him.
    “Hey—wait up, kid.” Kenji jumps up to grab my arm. “You know I was just messing with—” He follows my eyes to where Adam is standing. Slaps a palm to his forehead. “Of course ! How could I forget? You’re in love with my roommate.”
    I turn to face him. “Listen, I’m grateful