“I almost feel like Scent Valley University is in a snow globe.”
A laugh escapes my lips.
“What?” His brows wrinkle in surprise. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No,” I say quickly. “You’re right. I just hadn’t thought about it like that before. I like the way you,” I select my next words carefully, “look at things.”
A small smile plays on Riven’s lips. “It’ll look even better covered with snow in the winter.” He points out various things I didn’t notice—a tree in the distance that’s branches coil like a flame, the way the clock on the library building is one minute behind. His attention to detail is next level.
“Sorry you can’t get a closer view.” I gesture at his backpack where the telescope is lying. “Maybe next time?”
“Are you kidding?” He looks straight at me. His blonde eyelashes shimmer as the morning sun slices through his hair, making it look almost silvery. He has light stubble that almostlooks like sparkling crystals in the light. As I fully take him in, time seems to stand still. How is it possible for someone to be so aesthetically perfect? “I have the best view right here.”
I press my lips together, trying not to break out into the goofiest smile. That line would be corny from anyone else, but knowing Riven and how sincere he is, it’s quite possibly the best compliment I’ve ever had.
“Can I ask you something?”
He inclines his head. “Of course.”
“You said, ‘things like this’ have happened before when you were talking about the football team. What did you mean?”
Riven leans back. “I guess I’ve never really fit in before. I was bullied when I was younger for being different. People didn’t understand me.”
I nod, listening as he continues.
“I know I’m different. I don’t have a diagnosis or anything like that. I’ve never saw the point in seeking one. I’m just me. I don’t want medication to change me. But it has meant I’ve struggled sometimes.” He wrings his huge hands in his lap. “I come from a big family, a loud family. A family who never really got why I didn’t want to, ‘join in the fun,’ so I became an outsider.” He sighs. “I need my own time, my own space, to process things. I like silence. Not everyone is comfortable with it.”
I say nothing, not wanting to interrupt his flow while learning more about him.
“No one thought I’d be an alpha because of my nature. I wasn’t loud. I wasn’t into sports. I liked math, sudoku, puzzles, the stars…” He rolls up his sleeves. “Calder was my only friend in school. We were part of a larger friend group, but they only put up with me because they liked him. He was always the popular one.”
“I’m sure that’s not true,” I say kindly.
“Oh, it was,” Riven grimaces. “I heard what they said about me when they thought I wasn’t listening. I was the weird kid, the math nerd, but I never said anything. I figured Calder would get bored of me eventually.” He smiles. “I guess he never did.”
“Well, I don’t think you’re a nerd,” I reply, to which he arches his eyebrows. “Well, maybe a little, but no more than I am. I spend all my time in the library. I’m glad you found interests and hobbies you’re truly passionate about. And I’m glad you found your pack too. You all seem good together.”
I’m increasingly aware of how close our knees are, the heat radiating from him despite the cold temperature. How my body wants to be closer to him. I resist the urge to lean against his chest as we sit, not saying a word, savoring the view, until Riven suddenly blurts, “Can I kiss you?”
The unexpectedness of his request stuns me. When I look up at him, his eyes are wide, cheeks ablaze.
“S-s-sorry.” He rubs his eyes. “See? This is what I mean. Sometimes I say exactly what’s on my mind too. I don’t really know how to act around you, I?—”
Before he says any more, I silence his plump, pink lips with my mouth.
Riven’s kiss isn’t what I expect. Despite him questioning himself, his kiss is confident, strong and grounding. He knows exactly what he wants, as if kissing me is erasing all those little voices in his head that tell him he’s not good enough.
He strokes my hair, lacing it through his fingers as I shuffle closer to him. The kiss is firm but with a tentativeness and with a calming edge to it that makes me melt into him. When his tongue cautiously slides into my mouth, he tastes of cocoa and lingering spearmint, cozy and fresh. His thumb sweeps over my cheekbone before he pulls away, breathless.
“Is this okay?” His voice is a little raspy.
“Uh-huh.” I gaze into his dreamy eyes, his massive pupils blown. “Very okay.”
“I’m new to this,” he admits. “And I may say the wrong things sometimes, but I want you to know that I’m serious about you, Kady Sinclair.” My heart pounds in my chest. This is the kind of moment that Delilah’s book club would be swooning over. “This is more than a kiss to me because I think?—”
Before he can finish his sentence, the “Barbie Girl” theme song starts playing.
We both hear it, freezing in place before Riven breaks off to fish around in his pocket for his cell phone.
