Page 76 of Made Better Together

“I’m sorry, I know you’re probably getting ready for your date. But…” He takes a step forward, looking deadly serious. “Please do not go out with him. Jake.” He says the last word like it hurts him.

He takes another step toward me. Suddenly we’re only a couple of inches apart. His tall frame fills the space around me, and I tilt slightly so my back rests against the wall for support.

“Jake?” My voice is barely above a whisper, overwhelmed by his presence and now trapped.

“Yeah, your dinner for tonight.” A thread of regret comes through his voice.

Wait. Jake? Dinner? How does he know about that? My confusion wakes me up a little.

“I’m not going to dinner with Jake. I turned him down.”

Connor’s face goes through a cycle of emotions: from surprise to relief to elation.

“You did?”

“But how did you know?”

He shuts his eyes, and then sighs. “I saw his texts. At the game.”

“Oh—”

He reopens them, contriteness shining through. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to look.”

“Okay.” A squeaking sound from one of my dormmates’ doors makes me aware of our current position out in the open. Him, so near me, as I lean against the wall.

I stand up a little straighter. “Why are you here then?”

“I—” He looks around, but the halls are empty. “I wanted⁠—”

Stopping there, he brings his left hand up to my face, lightly gliding his index finger and pointer finger along my cheek. I suck in a breath when I see the look in his eyes.

It’s filled with affection—and determination. Like he’s made a decision.

“Eden, I want to tell you so many things, but can we do it somewhere private?”

Curiosity streams through me, not to mention my body is now a puddle. “Yes.”

He takes a step back, giving me space to lead us up to my room, but then I realize Bree could come back at any time.

“Actually, we probably should go somewhere else.” I glance down at my loungewear. Shit. “Although I’m not dressed for anywhere decent.”

He smiles. “You look perfect. Just come for a ride with me.”

Before I know what’s happened, I’m in the passenger seat of his car as he drives us away.

22

CONNOR

EARLIER THAT MORNING

Itry to not think about it. About her. But when I wake up Thursday morning, the day she’ll be going out with Jake, my mind screams, don’t let her go on that date.

Once I’m in my office, captive and bored, it’s harder to fight the urge to contact her. Still, I try to logic myself out of the compulsion. Don’t bug her. She can go on any date she wants. Do your work and chill the fuck out.

It’s a struggle all day. Back and forth.

Jealousy and the fear of losing my shot butting against reason.