Page 36 of The Heat of Us

“So…” I dragged out. “In the interest of finding out whether we work together…can I have Hazel’s number?”

“Say pl—”

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

I took Juno’s words to heart and didn’t try to stalk Hazel at the gym while I was still trying to get a handle on my alpha.

Instead, I lay on my new bed in my weird-smelling apartment that felt nothing like home and stared at the message I had yet to press send on.

Hi Hazel, it’s Ben. Juno gave me your number. I know the other night was a lot for both of us. I want you to know I’m not going to push for anything you’re not comfortable with. But I would like to get to know you.

I groaned, my eyes running over the next line wondering if I was really going to take my sister’s advice.

Hazel is her best friend. Juno knows her better than anyone.

But…I was also her brother.

Which one was going to win out? Juno’s urge to sabotage or matchmake?

I just have one question though. Are you more turned off by the fact that I had a breakdancing phase or that I legitimately thought I was going to make it as a gaming streamer?

I pressed send, threw my phone hard down on the bed and smothered my face with my pillow until I couldn’t breathe. My heart hammered so violently I was surprised blood wasn’t shooting out my eyeballs.

From a fucking text.

I shot up from the bed when my phone vibrated moments later. And then buzzed again. And again.

Hazel

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

im fucking dying

two questions

could you windmill

and how many subs did you have

Ok, so Juno had somehow managed to do both, it seemed. My palms were sweaty as I typed back.

almost and

My fingers paused. The embarrassment was eating me alive.

4

She was writing a response. How could three bouncing circles cause such anxiety?

Hazel

Are you still holding onto these lofty dreams of yours?

Absolutely, being a doctor is my fallback

Way to work the fact that you’re a doctor into the conversation

She saw right through me and we’d been talking for 30 seconds.

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