Page 124 of Dare To Live

“We’re...” I struggle to find the right words.

“A thing?”

“I don’t even know what to call it.”

Garrett laughs. “I guess things haven’t changed with you two either. What I do know, though, is that Eli has never looked at anyone the way he looks at you.”

Chapter 68

Eli

Walking into the cafeteria throws me back in time. The familiar voices, the smells of food, the line of people waiting to get breakfast. Almost involuntary, my gaze sweeps across the line looking for Kellan, and a sharp stab of pain twists my heart when I realize what I’m doing.

Got to get your own coffee, idiot.

I join the end of the line and pull out my cell to give me something to do while I wait.

“Oh my god! Eli!”

I’m enveloped in a cloud of strong perfume and look up to find myself surrounded by four women.

“You look amazing!” It takes me a second or two to associate the voice with the girl from ten years ago.

“Lacy.” I incline my head, but don’t return the compliment.

Her hand lands on my arm, smooths up to my shoulder, and then her mouth is coming toward mine. I turn my head to avoid her lips, so she ends up kissing my cheek. “I’d love to catch up … just you and me.” Her voice is a whisper in my ear.

I pull away, and scan over the interior of the cafeteria. There’s a small cluster of people at my usual table. I untangle myself from Lacy’s arms, and step away.

“I’m sorry, I have plans.” Opting not to wait in the line any longer, I stride across the room.

Kellan’s seat is empty, but there’s a coffee in his place. I frown at it before redirecting my attention to the blonde in the seat beside his.

“Good morning.” She breaks off her conversation with Miles and Garrett to greet me, head tipping up to smile.

I don’t say anything, and her smile falters when I don’t return it. My tongue flicks against my lip ring.

“Arabella Gray.” I say her name slowly, savoring the words, then reach out and wrap a hand around her arm so I can pull her to her feet.

I have a quick glimpse of wide, surprised blue eyes, and then my mouth is on hers, tongue slipping between her lips. She tastes of coffee and something slightly sweeter … maple syrup from the pancakes she’s been eating.

My tongue licks over her lips, and I delve back inside to taste her sweetness again. Her lips part, and I give a contented growl at the back of my throat, when her hands lift to loop around my neck.

The noise around us recedes, the world shrinking until it’s just us. My hand slides up her spine, finds her ponytail and I curl my fingers around it, using it to tug her head back a little and pull her closer to me.

When we finally break apart, I run my tongue over my lips. Her eyes follow the movement, then shift up to meet mine. They’re dark, hazy, slightly dazed, and she licks her lips, then bites into her bottom one. A slight blush tinges her cheeks with pink.

“I think I just got pregnant.” The dry voice breaks the spell holding us both captive, and she turns to look at the man who spoke.

I turn my head and hike an eyebrow at Garrett. He grins at me and holds out a mug of coffee. “I saw you being harassed by the hyenas in the line, so I grabbed you a drink.”

I take it, and nod. “Thank you. I appreciate that.” I move around the table and drop into my usual seat and take a sip.

Arabella stands in place for a moment longer, then blinks and sinks into the seat on the opposite side of the table.

I jerk my chin toward the mug in front of Kellan’s seat. “Who does that belong to?”

She gives me a small smile. “It’s Kellan’s.”

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