Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Sophie’s walk between classes should take her right by here, so I’m hovering outside the math building, creepily waiting for her to materialize.
Four days into the relationship that I’ll do anything to make work.
This is Mission: Captivate. My fingers drum against my palm.
The plan will work best during the short period between classes because I’m my own biggest risk.
All these people around are going to keep me in line.
It’s crisp and wintry today, but I’m overheating. She’s not even here yet. I yank off my button-down, ball it up, and drop it.
I should not be this nervous. It’s not like she’s my first girlfriend. Or the first girl I’ve kissed. But it’s so different with her. With her I crave more. I scare myself. What if I lose my resolve and screw it all up? I know how much is at stake, so I’ve been holding a hard line.
I still my hands, but it only lasts two seconds before I start up again. I’m as fidgety as Levi.
Is this shady? It’s so hard to know.
There she is, walking with a friend I don’t recognize, but that should be fine. I step over and grab Sophie’s hand.
A startled jump precedes her signature smile.
With a wave to Random Friend, I lead Sophie to the wall. Protecting her head with my hand, I press her hip against the bricks. Okay, one slow and firm kiss. Passionate but classy. Captivating but careful.
Kissing her feels incredible. Like stepping inside a volcano without getting burned. My entire body leans in, demands more.
Breathe … Remember the plan. “Hey, Soph.” My shaky voice gives me away. “I’m so lucky to be your boyfriend. Have a good class.”
Her sweet mouth falls open.
With that, I lead her back to the now-gawking friend, turn her body to her previous position, and take off without another word.
Success ...
Shoot—
My shirt.
Austin’s already inhaling his lunch when I arrive at Saga.
An hour and a half ago, that surprise kiss sent my pulse clear to the moon.
No idea what he’s up to, but I’m not mad about it.
Tray in hand, I head toward our tables and scope out the seating situation.
Levi and Kit just left, and Austin is surrounded by other Flooders.
I’m almost to a seat by Zoe and Rosemary when Austin bends forward to drop a comment to Noah.
Noah smirks, glances at me, and—without a word—stands and moves down the table.
The guys around Austin trade knowing looks, shaking their heads and shoving him like they’re in on some joke.
“Yeah, yeah. Hey, you,” Austin says to me, all Nick Wilde from Zootopia—that effortless, sly confidence that makes my pulse misfire.
“Hey, everyone.” I sheepishly take Noah’s seat. “How’s it going?”
They greet me and continue their conversation about a football game.
I edge forward. What was that? I ask Austin with my eyes.
“Look at you,” he says. “He gets it. Also, I’m gonna do him a favor.”
I can’t decide if I’m embarrassed or honored, so I dig into my mac ’n’ cheese. “How was your morning? Any surprises?”
His cheek twitches. “Funny you should ask. There was a surprise. But I want to hear about your morning.”
“I couldn’t concentrate in Marketing. It’s a good class, but today I felt … strange.”
“Oh no.” He pushes his tray forward to lean those magnificent forearms on the table. “What were your symptoms?”
“Elevated heart rate,” I report, raising a clinical brow. “Shortness of breath. Mild dizziness.”
He tries to hold back a grin. It only half works. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine now, but those symptoms might return, you know?”
“Maybe I should walk you to your next class, just to make sure you’re okay.”
I give him my best coy smile. “Do you think that will help? Or hurt?”
“You never know.”
Sultry. The new voice is sultry.
“Hm, well, completely unrelatedly, a friend I walk to Marketing with has been telling everyone that she wants to steal my boyfriend. Not cool, you know?”
His full grin sneaks through. I can’t help but reciprocate.
“He’s yours as long as you’ll have him.”
I wave my fork, feigning nonchalance. “I’m pretty happy with the arrangement.”
His expression fades to serious. “Good to hear.”
Austin
Song of the day
“The Hill” by Thomas Rhett