‘You mean I would tutor you?’ she asks sweetly, not missing a beat. She places her lips around her straw while maintaining eye contact with me.
Swallowing, I shift as the blood rushes to my groin almost uncomfortably. No girl has ever affected me the way she does and it’s maddening.
‘You wish, Blush. I could ace every test without attending a single lecture.’
She scoffs, shaking her glossy hair over her shoulder. I would do anything to be able to run my fingers through it one more time, holding her to me.
If only things were different.
‘Whatever helps you sleep at night, party boy.’
‘I sleep very well, thank you very much.’
‘I’m sure you do. No thoughts in that small brain of yours to keep you up.’ She sighs theatrically.
Grinning, I lean forward, so close I can see the freckles dotted across her nose and feel the heat of her breath fanning across my lips. ‘Don’t tell me my intelligence isn’t a turn on to you, Blush. I seem to remember a very detailed journal entry—’
She squeals, smacking my arm and turning beetroot red. ‘Oh my God!’ Sinking back into her seat, she covers her face. ‘You’re such an asshole.’
Smirking, I lean back. ‘Checkmate.’
‘Fuck you.’ She pouts.
‘If you want.’
Her fingers open and she peers through the gaps. She slowly lowers her hands, staring at me for a moment. The cocky grin drifts off my face when the seriousness of our past presses heavily between us once more.
I hate this.
Her gaze shifts over my head and she pales, ducking quickly.
‘Shit,’ she half groans.
‘What?’ I ask, looking over to see Dylan striding in with Anya’s ex-best friend. The very one he cheated on her with. Seeing him strut into a club, showing off his other woman, makes my blood boil and leaves a bad taste in my mouth. A slow, calm smile stretches over my lips and I lean close to her, latching my focus onto those soft emerald eyes I love so much.
‘Be right back. I’m going to commit murder,’ I say.
‘Don’t! Let’s just go.’
‘No way.’
‘I can’t have him see me here single and alone!’
‘Am I invisible?’ I raise an eyebrow.
‘He’s going to know I’m notwithyou,’ she says with a groan, sinking even lower into the leather seat.
‘How would he know that?’ I counter, my stomach tightening at the thought of what I’m about to suggest.
‘Hmm?’ she asks, looking up at me.
‘How would he know we aren’t together?’
‘Because you’re Zayden’s best friend.’
‘But everyone has always noticed this.’ I wave my hand between us. ‘Every partner we’ve ever had, in fact. All our friends at school. Even our families.’
She looks surprised that I openly admit to this.
