"You figured?"I shoot a look at Gage.
He raises both hands."Before you start swinging, I'm not here to make anything harder.When he said you were moving, I asked Carter if he needed help.That's it."
"This feels like a setup."
Gemma shrugs with that innocent look she's mastered."Or it's just your friends trying to help."
"Friends with impeccable timing," I mutter.
Gage steps forward, voice softer."Skye, it's not against any school policy for us to have mutual friends and be in the same place as them."
"So long as we're not sneaking around, which we're not," Carter adds."You two being in the same room doesn't violate anything."
I cross my arms."Convenient interpretation."
Gage chuckles."I'm not here to twist the rules.I just wanted to help.And see you."
That last part makes my heart skip.He looks at me as if I'm the only person in the room.And if I have to admit it, I want to see him too.
Gemma shrugs and gives a small smile, switching topics."We had a lot of boxes."
Carter grins."And Gage knows how to lift heavy things."
I roll my eyes but can't help the tug at my lips."Fine."
Gemma claps her hands."Okay!Let's get this show on the road.Boxes won't carry themselves."
We load up the small moving van with the last of my stuff.Carter offers to drive the truck while Gemma follows in their car.Since Gage rode with them, that leaves him riding back to the guest house with me.Of course he does.
When I go back inside to do one last sweep of the apartment, Gage stays by my car, giving me space.I make sure I have everything and the space is empty.Then I wipe down the counters and snap a picture of each room.
As I'm walking out, I am texting the landlord to let him know the keys are on the kitchen counter when a loud screech of tires cuts through the quiet.A teenager in a beat-up sedan flies into the parking lot, music blaring, not paying attention.
I freeze.My eyes are locked on the car as it barrels toward me.
Before I can react, muscular arms wrap around me, yanking me back with a force that knocks the breath out of me.I stumble into a solid chest just as the car swerves and speeds past, the driver completely oblivious.
My heart is pounding so loudly I can barely hear anything else.
"What the hell…" I gasp.
"You okay?"Gage's voice is tight, urgent, his hands still holding me protectively.
I nod, breathless."Yeah.Thanks to you."
His arms don't drop immediately.He looks down at me, his expression unreadable."That could've gone really badly."
"I didn't even see it coming," I admit, voice shaky.
"You froze."
"I did."
He brushes a strand of hair behind my ear."Always look both ways, sweetheart."
The gentleness of his tone makes my chest ache.Finally, he steps back, his touch lingering like a ghost.
He stares at me for a long moment, eyes filled with something I can't quite name.Then he moves, cups my cheek, and without a word, kisses me.
