Hurt and jealousy crashed through her so violently she had to steady herself.It was irrational, and she knew that.This Cole didn’t know her, didn’t owe her anything.But the ache in her chest didn’t care for logic.
He was hers.
Her fists clenched, her nails biting into her palms as she forced herself to stay rooted in place.This wasn’t right.This wasn’t how it was supposed to be.
And yet, as her knees threatened to buckle, she couldn’t help but stare.Couldn’t help but feel like the universe had stolen something precious from her, only to flaunt it in front of her like a cruel joke.
Despite herself, she took another step forward, intent on ripping the blonde’s hand away, but a voice called her name from behind.
“Ashley!”
Ashley turned sharply, her pulse still pounding from the whirlwind of emotions Cole had unleashed moments ago.Her heart clenched as she found herself face-to-face with Dale.
His gray eyes, softer than Cole’s but no less captivating, met hers with a warmth that sent a ripple of unease through her chest.He stood there, calm and steady, the complete opposite of the wild recklessness she’d just witnessed.
“We can’t seem to stop running into each other lately,” he said, his tone light, a small, genuine smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Ashley swallowed hard, her breath hitching.Her mind was still stuck on Cole–the way he’d looked at her, the way he’d looked away–and now Dale was here, so familiar yet so different.All she could manage was a small nod.
Dale glanced over her shoulder, his gaze landing on the courtyard.“My brother is as helpless as ever, I see.”
His words jolted her.Of course, he’d been watching, seeing the same scene she had.Did he notice the blonde?Did he notice the way Cole had captured her entire being with just one look?
Ashley hummed in agreement, her throat tightening as she struggled to keep her voice even.
“Do you know him?”Dale asked, his curiosity apparent.“Cole, I mean.He’s one year your senior.”
Ashley’s stomach twisted painfully at the question.Did she know him?Yes.She knew him better than anyone, better than Dale ever would.But here, in this strange, impossible version of her life, she didn’t.
“I…” she began, but her words faltered, caught in her throat.
Dale raised a hand quickly, his expression softening.“I’m sorry.I didn’t mean to put you on the spot.You just seemed so upset–I thought maybe he hurt you.”
“Cole?Hurt me?Never,” she said, the words leaving her lips before she could think.They were instinctive, immediate, a truth she knew to her core.
Dale blinked, his brows knitting together for a moment before his features softened into a small, bemused smile.“I’m glad to hear it,” he said quietly, his voice tinged with something Ashley couldn’t quite place.
Her gaze lingered on him longer than she meant to, her mind still tangled in the heat and chaos of Cole’s presence.Dale was different.Gentler, calmer.
She couldn’t deny the pang of recognition when she looked at him–the familiarity of the eyes, the way he carried himself.It wasn’t Dale she wanted; it was Cole.And yet, standing here, the energy of her earlier encounter still buzzing through her veins, she couldn’t quite separate the two.
“Have you chosen your major yet?”Dale asked, his voice breaking through her thoughts, shifting the conversation with ease.
“Behavioral Science,” she replied automatically, her voice steadier now.
“You sound so sure,” he said, tilting his head slightly, studying her.“Think well.You only get this opportunity once in your life.”
His words struck a chord, making her pause.She almost laughed at the irony–she’d already lived this life once.And yet… he made her wonder if she was missing something.
“I’m considering minoring in physics,” she blurted, surprising herself with the words.She didn’t really consider it, but now that she said it, it did make sense.She could possibly even get closer to Cole.
Dale’s brows lifted, his smile brightening.“I can recommend some courses if you’re interested.I’ll be a TA next semester.”
Ashley nodded, her thoughts swirling.This wasn’t about Dale, this was about Cole.
She felt bad even thinking about it–she didn’t want to use Dale to get to Cole.She was interested in getting to know him too.But if getting to know Dale helped her get closer to Cole, then she’d take the opportunity.
As they walked together, Dale’s voice wove effortlessly through the quiet, his words like a steady rhythm against the chaos still storming in her chest.His presence grounded her in a way she hadn’t realized she needed.
