Sometimes, like right now as you awkwardly turn around trying to zip up your dress, you really wish you weren’t single. You let out a frustrated sigh, tugging on the zipper that refuses to cooperate.

“Sarah?” You call out, moving closer to the guest bedroom door. Sarah had invited you over to get ready for Midsummer’s, but she’d gotten a text and you hadn’t seen her since. The door is partially ajar, and you can see her brother, Rafe, making his way down the hallway.

“Rafe, could you come in here for a second?” You stick your head out the door and smile at him. “I’m having a wardrobe malfunction”

“Goddamn, do I have to do everything? He grumbles, before sighing and entering the bedroom. “What is it?”

“My zipper” you turn around to show him, exposing your bare back. “I think it’s stuck”

“Right” he closes the gap between the two of you, swallowing hard. His hand slides up your back, skimming lightly up your spine. The light contact with you causes every nerve ending in his body to light up. He curses softly under his breath, reminding himself that you were off limits.

she looks like the real thing

He shakes his head, reminding himself to concentrate on the task at hand. Not to think about how soft your skin felt under his fingers, or how he’d like to slide the damn dress off of your body rather than zip it up. He gives it a harsh tug, managing to zip it up. He lets his hand linger against your lower back for a moment longer than he needs to, before reluctantly stepping back from you.

if I could be who you wanted all the time

“All set” he murmurs. His eyes rake over you in your dress, noting the way it clings to every curve of your body. He wonders if you have a date for the party. Thinks it would almost be worse if you didn’t, because then it would be harder for him to avoid you. Either way, he knew his eyes would be on you all night. Watching you. Wanting you.