“He’s not the only one who noticed you.”
I look up. Nik’s watching me, head tilted.
“I mean, you’re hot. That’s obvious. But it’s more than that. You’ve got this vibe. Like… you’ve been through some shit and survived it. It’s magnetic.”
I stare at him. “You don’t even know me.”
“I’d like to.”
He says it with no pressure, no lean-in, no smirk. Just honesty. It doesn’t feel threatening.
I’m not sure how to respond. I shift my legs, suddenly very aware of my body and how close it is to his.
“I don’t really do… this,” I admit.
Nik nods. “You mean eating lunch with ridiculously attractive bad boys?”
I let out a laugh, unexpected and real. “No. I mean… opening up. Talking. Trusting people.”
“Cool,” he says easily. “Then we don’t have to do any of that right now. We can just sit here and share oxygen until you feel like doing more.”
I glance over at him again. His eyes are half-lidded, lashes long. There’s something calm about him, even though I can feel the intensity just beneath the surface.
“Okay,” I agree. “Let’s share oxygen.”
He grins and tips his head back against the tree behind us.
And so, we do.
We sit side-by-side in the shade, saying nothing. The breeze rustles the trees, and somewhere a whistle blows from the distant field. For now, the world is quiet.
But with Nik, I don’t feel alone.
Chapter 14
Jessie slams her notebook down beside me in our next class and groans, flopping her head onto the desk.
“Problems?” I ask.
“You have no idea.” Her voice is muffled against the table. “Rachel’s furious at Axel for calling her out on her bullshit, and now she’s mad at me for telling people they were dating. Even thoughshe’sthe one who told me they were together in the first place.She’s pissed at me for a mess she made. I’m so over it.”
She lifts her head and pins me with a curious look. “Anyway. What’s going on with you and Axel? Because let’s be real, this is all because of you.”
Her tone isn’t accusatory, just intrigued. I can tell she’s not trying to stir the pot.
“Nothing,” I tell her, hands raised. “His relationship status came up, and when he said he wasn’t dating anyone, I asked about Rachel. That’s it.”
“Uh huh,” Jessie hums, unconvinced.
“It’s true! Axel’s my step… cousin. It would be weird if there was anything going on between us… right?” I try to sound casual.
Jessie shrugs. “You’re not blood-related, so no. Honestly, I would hit that even if hewasmy cousin.”
She fans herself theatrically as I let out a very unladylike snort.
“Right… Well, it’s a nonissue. I’m actually interested in someone else.”
Not a lie.
