Page 21 of Shifted

"H, he."

"L, loved."

"M, me." He glanced up at me.

"B... back." The look on his face, I swear, could make my heart stop. The admiration and the thoughtfulness behind the message. Now he knew how long I’d truly been waiting for him to know, and he knew the answer to my end of the question.

"We were starving at the beach late at night; all we had was a stick of gum. I made a wish, but I wasn't letting you know it so easily." He chuckled, his arms wrapped around tightly, and his lips melted into mine. He loosens his grip and stares in thought.

"So this whole time, it was a riddle?" He asks.

"Yes, a riddle to my heart." I winked at him as he pulled me back into him tighter, this time his grip no longer budging.

Present time

"So you're telling me our friend asleep upstairs was conceived on a pool table at some stranger's house in the suburbs?" Lucas says, intrigued, as he sits crisscrossed applesauce on the couch.

"Well, either that or on a beach in Sandwich late at night?" He scoffed, "Now that was the best sex I ever had." I felt my cheeks grow feverish at the thought of it. But he was the only man I ever had.

"How did you hide this from Bella?" I shrugged, sipping back my rosé.

“She was too busy hooking up with her fiancé, well before he was the Grayson I know and love. The playboy within him, but he was secretly only screwing her. But trying to make her feel jealous, she knew, though I don't know how, but Bella always knew." I reached for the last cracker, but Lucas beat me to it with the last cube of cheese, “Hey! That was mine!"

"Nah, ah, you did not call dibs." He stuck his tongue out at me, "So, who's the dick who blew you off tonight?" I rolled my eyes once again as he urged. "I came to watch Joely and find myself on the couch gossiping with you?" Tonight was supposed to be my first date with Reed. But of course, things never take the course we expect.

"I needed updates on Layla?" I avoided the conversation, and he shook his head, "Naomi?" He shakes his head again, "Claire? "I question, and this time he seems pissed. "Throw me a bone, man?" He gave me a small grin.

"Claire was last week. You’re so distracted about Reed, aren’t you? So, tell me, why'd he cancel?" I felt a grin spread across my face. "What is it? I've never seen anyone smile over a canceled date."

"Well, my sexy hot date… is a doctor, and he had to go to the hospital. He felt like a dick, but there was a pile-up, and he was on call." Lucas leaned back, relaxing, knowing exactly where the grin came from.

"So how did this sexy doctor... find you?" Slightly insulted, I chucked my pillow at him, annoyed as he squirmed.

"Hey, that was rude. I am... fascinating!"

"I like how you used the word 'fascinating' to describe your best quality." Leaning back, I squeezed my pillow. God, sometimes I wasn’t doing any favors for myself.

"I am young and sexy, okay? I have a lot going for me, Lucas. Come on, I mean, look at me." He stared at me up and down and smirked. I could tell he wanted to laugh at my words but withheld. Maybe I was being a bit weird, but I didn't deserve to be dismissed at the moment.

"All right, fine. You're a fox, and you can get it, girl. I was just teasing you, mostly because I'm jealous." He sighed as I rolled my eyes. A knock came at the door.

"I'll get it," I said, walking over to the door and looking through the peephole. Surprised was the least of my words. I turned to Lucas and said, "He's here!" I spoke in excitement and slight confusion.

"What's going on?" he asked, and I unlocked the door slightly to see him standing exhausted in his light blue scrubs. He lifted a bottle of wine. "I know it's late, and I just got off. I promise to take you on a real date. But I just had to see you tonight." His eyes pleaded to me, and I smiled softly.

"Only because those scrubs look damn good on you." He chuckled, and I cracked the door open further to welcome him inside. He stares at the clothes I am wearing as I realize the strawberry pajamas from head to toe.

"Pj's on the first date, Hope?” I suck in my lips with slight embarrassment, but instead, he beams, “I love it already." I laughed as I took the bottle from his hand. I could have used a bit of wine right about now.

"Lucas, you are free to go." He stood smirking at me, and I felt slightly embarrassed at his expression. "Oh, uh, Reed, this is my coworker Lucas.” Lucas rolled his eyes at me after I introduced him.

"Co-worker? Nah, ah, I'm one of her best friends." He glared at me and walked over, "And you must be the sexy doctor?" I wanted to shove him out the door forcefully right about now. I could do it, but now isn't the time to make that impression on anyone.

"Oh, so you've spoken about me, huh?" Reed looked at me as I turned to Lucas.

"Well, Lucas was just on his way out anyway." He nodded and waved me goodbye, leaving. “Bye guys, have fun! Well, not too much fun—" The door slammed, and I looked at Reed, slightly embarrassed.

"I really love these pajamas." I looked down at my strawberry pajama set again and looked back at him.

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