Just Don't Fall (Sweater Weather, #1; Appies, #1)

by Emma St. Clair

“Enough talking,” Parker says, expertly lifting her chopsticks to her mouth. “Time for eating.” I’m impressed by her dexterity as she expertly delivers noodles to her mouth with the chopsticks. But then, in classic Parker fashion, she slurps the last curly noodle between her lips, giggling. I don’t try to look away from her mouth this time. “Why aren’t you eating?” she asks, noting the way my hands are still in my lap. “Any chance I can get a fork?” I ask. “Chopsticks and I don’t really get along.” Parker pins me with a look. “You balance that big body on tiny blades, and you can’t use two sticks to pick up food?” “I can’t be great at everything.” I smirk, crossing my arms over my chest and leaning back. Parker only rolls her eyes. “This will not do.” Scooting her chair back, she wipes her mouth with a napkin and stands. But instead of walking over to the silverware drawer, she steps behind my chair. “What are you doing?” Suddenly I’m hot all over as Parker leans over me, draping her arms over mine. It’s the same electric heat I felt earlier when I practically tackled her through the doorway downstairs. These are all feelings I’d best ignore. Parker picks up the chopsticks, then shoves them into my hands. “I’m teaching you to use chopsticks. Rest this one on your thumb. Like this.” It’s not easy to focus on what she’s telling me to do with my fingers when I am all too aware of her body pressed against my shoulders and her breath on my cheek. This is Parker, I try to tell m...