Page 61 of Only With You

He must have realized what he asked, because he licks his lips and shakes his head. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Wait, don’t leave,” I rapidly say right as he slips his shoes on and opens the door.

I swiftly go to my room, grab what I need from my vanity, and step back out. I don’t know if he listened to me because he has this thing where he doesn’t. To my surprise, he’s still by the entryway, his eyes tracking my movements until I’m in front of him.

He guardedly watches me, but when his gaze settles on my open palm, holding a brand-new tube of Aquaphor Lip Repair, a crease deepens between his brows. It’s still in the package, but he stares at it like he’s waiting for it to explode or something.

“It’s brand new. So stop looking at it like that.” I urge him to take it, but he doesn’t grab it. “You desperately need it.”

“Why?”

“Why else would I be giving you that? You’ve been licking your lips since you got here, and if there’s anything I hate more in the world, it’s chapped lips, so take it.”

He considers it for a moment before he takes it from my hand. I don’t fail to notice the way the tips of his fingers graze my palm down to my own fingers.

“Consider itmygood deed of the year.” I smirk.

I expected a smart-ass reply, but he stuns me when the corners of his lips tug upward just a tad. He tosses the package in the air, effortlessly catching it before he opens the door.

“Good night, Julianna.”

“Good night, Landon.”

With one last glance, he walks out and shuts the door behind him.

A soft thrash ensues in my stomach, but I don’t mull over it because my mind is still reeling over the way he said that. Those three words echo in my head, repeating them over and over untilI’m in my room. Even in the confines of my safe space and over the voice of my favorite YouTuber, I can still hear his voice.

18

JULIANNA

“I still can’t believethis has been going on for two weeks.” El gapes, astonished, but it’s quickly replaced with a giddy smile. “How does it feel? Tell me everything.”

My fingers hover over the keys of my laptop briefly before I resume typing. The last thing I want to do is talk about Landon now or ever, unless it involves me physically talking to him when we’re studying. Even then I don’t like talking to him, but it’s not because I can’t stand him. It’s because of the weird feeling that takes place in my stomach anytime I do.

It dips and oddly tumbles. I can’t explain it, but I’m just going to pretend it’s not real because whatever is going on is definitelynotreal.

“There’s nothing to say. I don’t feel anything.” I don’t. Ireallydon’t. “We study.” That’s the truth. “And that’s it.” That’s the partial truth.

We still argue, but that’s something that won’t change, but it’s not as bad as it used to be. Well…maybe it’s still bad, but the arguing isn’t constant because we’ll pause, add a bit of conversation while we cook, and go back to doing what we do best. Argue.

Granted, whenever we talk, it’s short, and it’s never anything about each other.

Usually, it’s him making fun of my favorite YouTuber and me telling him he’s jealous. Or how we like to cook our meals. He also recently found out I have a mug obsession and likes to make a joke here and there, but it’s never mean.

It’s kind of strange, but I’m still keeping my guard up. With Landon, there’s no telling what’ll come out of his mouth or what he’s thinking. He always looks so detached, so cold.

Sometimes I wonder what goes through his mind. I feel like there’s more to him. It feels wrong wanting to know more, but I do.

She slumps in her chair, blowing out a breath through her nose. “Two weeks and that’s all you have to say?”

I suppress my smile and lift my brow at the disappointment laced on her face. “What did you expect to happen? It’s tutoring.”

El sits up, closing her laptop, and slides it away from her. We’re in one of the study rooms in the library, working on our assignments but also hanging out. She’s been busy with work and I’ve been busy with tutoring that we’ve hardly seen each other. So this is the only way we could be together.

Though we’ve hardly done anything, because she keeps talking and I keep entertaining whatever comes out of her mouth. I can’t help it. I’ve missed her and her rambunctious self.

Aside from tutoring, I’ve been busy with the sorority. I wish I weren’t because things feel weird after my conversation with Sienna two weeks ago. None of the girls have said anything to me, but her closest friends look at me like they know something.

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