Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
ELIZABETH
I can’t believe I just asked him out. The words just tumbled out of my mouth. I couldn’t help myself.
He said yes.
Oh, my god. He. Said. Yes!
My heart skips as an exhilarating, weightless sensation sweeps over me. It’s like I’m floating in a dream where the world turns soft and luminous. When his thumb gently grazes the edge of my lower lip, his touch sends sparks of heat spiraling through me, and the smile he flashes back—God, that smile—sets off an explosion I can feel everywhere. Shivers race up my arms, my legs, until goose bumps blanket my skin, and every inch of me buzzes.
Caught in the gravitational pull of something intense and unspoken, we’ve been circling each other for weeks, dancing around our undeniable attraction to each other. It’s not just Ryder’s devastating good looks—though, honestly, the way his amber-brown eyes smolder under those dark lashes makes it hard to breathe sometimes. But he’s also kind and steady, caring and supportive. He’s always there when I need him.
He doesn’t push or try to force me into the past to fit a preconceived mold of the Elizabeth I used to be. When I’m with him, I’m happy. Free. I feel more alive , like I’ve shed layers of old skin and finally stepped into the person I was always meant to be.
Every moment we spend together, I fall just a little harder. And right this second, I would give anything for him to kiss me.
“When would you like for me to take you out on our first date?”
“Friday?”
I would have suggested tonight, I am that eager for our first official date together.
His hand drops from my face, and the loss of his warmth leaves me bereft.
“I’ll tell the guys I’m going to the track that night.”
I hate that we have to keep our relationship a secret, but I also understand the necessity—for now. I won’t hide how I feel about him, not even from Jayson.
“I can’t wait,” I tell him, my excitement clear as day.
“Hey, Elizabeth.” Meredith pops up at our table. “Oh, sorry. Am I interrupting?”
“Not at all.”
I scoot my chair closer to Ryder and gesture for her to take the seat next to me.
“I’m Meredith. I’m in Elizabeth’s lit class.” She offers him a finger wave.
“Ryder.”
She gives me a very noticeable thumbs-up and mouths, “He’s cute.”
I slip my hand into Ryder’s under the table. “I thought you had class.”
“I do. But I saw you when I came in to grab a coffee. I dropped by the library. We have study room three reserved every Wednesday evening from seven to nine. I already texted Trevor. This is going to be so much fun!”
This girl is a ball of infectious energy.
Just like Maria .
A girl with dark hair and eyes flashes before my eyes.
“Are you going?” Meredith says.
“Sorry. What?”
“I asked if you were going to the party on Saturday.”
For some reason, her mentioning a party makes me uneasy, but when I came here, I decided I was going to make sure to experience as many new things as I could. I have a lifetime of them to make up for.
I turn to Ryder to see what he thinks. A party would mean people would see us together.
“Can I get back to you about it?”
Meredith takes out her phone. “Just sent you the info. It’s nice having new people to hang out with. Other than you, Trevor, and my roommate, Sara, I don’t know anybody else here. I’m a freshman.”
“Me, too.”
“It’s my second year,” Ryder tells her.
Meredith lifts the lid on her to-go coffee and blows. “How did you two meet?”
I squeeze his hand. I’ll let Ryder answer that one.
“We’ve known each other since we were kids.”
“Seriously? That’s cool. I totally thought you guys were together.”
“Just really good friends,” I reply, my face a hot mess because of the little white lie.
“I like CU, but it’s much different from where I grew up in Boston. Things are more laid back here, like everyone’s at a slower pace.”
That must be why she’s so animated and full of energy. She’s used to the fast-paced life of the big city.
She checks her phone. “Crap. I’ve got to go. My next class is five buildings down from here.”
Just like her whirlwind persona, Meredith air kisses me and hurries away in a flurry of movement.
“She’s, uh, interesting,” Ryder comments.
“Literally just met her in class. She seems really nice.”
I stack my paper plate and used napkins together. Ryder takes everything from me and dumps it in the trashcan near our table. When he comes back, I stand up, not wanting our time together to end just yet.
“I have an hour to kill before my next class.”
“I’ve got another two before mine.” He picks up his stuff, then my bag. “I have an idea. Do you trust me?”
I want to tell him that I trust him with every fiber of my being.
“Yes.”
“I want to show you something.”
As we walk out of the cafeteria, our hands gravitate toward each other. Mine reaches for his, and he takes it.
And my heart makes that final leap. I fall all the way this time—effortlessly, completely, fall head over heels for Ryder.