We talk. Not about sex or cameras. Just... stuff. Favorite movies, worst jobs, and his mom’s obsession with thrift stores. He even tells me about the time he accidentally wore a woman’sblouse to class because it “looked chill.” I tell him about my cat, Lemon Drop, and my unhealthy obsession with romcom movies that are cheesy meet-cutes.
It’s stupid and pointless and real.
And when the carnival starts to thin out, I feel that little ache settle in. The one that comes when something good is about to end.
“I should probably head out soon,” he says, glancing at his phone. “My roommate’s probably convinced I’ve been kidnapped.”
I nod. “Yeah. I need to go pack up anyway.”
Neither of us moves.
And then he shifts, just slightly, and says, “Can I…”
I lean in before he finishes. “Yeah.”
The kiss this time is soft. No camera. No performance. Just a brush of mouths and breath and something too big to name. He pulls back first. His thumb skims my cheek like he’s trying to remember the shape of me.
I swallow hard and force a smile. “Until next time, sugar.”
Then I turn before he can see the look on my face.
Because fuck.
I’m in trouble.
Chapter Fifteen
EVEREST
The entire drivehome passes in a daze. Not the kind where you black out and have no clue how you got from Point A to Point B. I was clearly aware of the path I took to get home. I didn’t forget the road or turns I needed to take.
No, this daze was one where the world feels soft, almost as if I’m floating on a cloud. My lips still tingle with the memory of Cove—her lips, warm and sweet, still clinging to me like something I’m terrified to disturb.
I press my palm to my mouth, like I can somehow hold on to the moment a little longer. Keep her taste from being washed away.
God, I’m pathetic.
One kiss and I’m unraveling, turning into a lovesick puppy.
When I finally pull into the parking lot, I half-wish the drive was longer. At least in the car I can replay everything without witnesses. No fear of anyone seeing the tent in my pants from my hardened cock.
I take a deep breath and pick my phone up from the console.
Then I hesitate.
Would it be okay? Could I? We did hit it off.
I don’t overthink it a second longer. I pull up the site and send her a message. It’s simple but I hope she sees that my thoughts are on her.
Me: I made it home. Hope you did too.
Only when it shows sent do I get out of my car, making sure to lock the door and head inside the building. I can almost guarantee that Tanner is sitting there waiting for me to tell him how my date went. He doesn’t know what I was going to the carnival to do. Just that it was a date.
I take the stairs instead of the elevator, wanting to stretch out the time before I get to our room. Plus, it gave me time to formulate a story that’s true, but not specific on the details.
The dorm room door swings open before I even reach for the handle. Tanner’s standing there, arms crossed, eyebrows lifted like I’ve committed a crime that I’m not even aware of.
“Dude, an all day date? You missed dinner. What the hell took you so long to get inside? I saw you park.” Tanner pauses, squints. “Why do you look like you just got hit by a truck? A…happy truck?”
