Page 75 of Only With You

She pins me with a glare, but I shrug. “Nicknames weren’t on your terms and conditions.”

“You’re impossible.”

“Next time, be more specific, Angel.”

“I’mstillplotting your downfall.”

“And I’llstillbe waiting.”

I hear her grumble, but then it’s replaced with a soft hum. She’s humming along to the song I picked. I would’ve asked her what she wanted to listen to, but seeing as she likes what I post, I didn’t bother.

“I will be very critical of this hot chocolate.” I lean against the fridge, watching her slowly stir. “If it doesn’t meet my expectations, I will rate it poorly.”

“I don’t expect anything less from you.” She pours milk into the pot and resumes stirring. “But just so you know, thisisgoing to be the best damn hot chocolate you’ll ever have in your life.”

I revel in her confidence. Julianna typically is, but occasionally and usually during our tutoring sessions, she’s not. She’ll find it, though, she believes it’s because she’s never been good at math, but I find that unlikely. Sometimes, it feels like her mind is on something or someone else, like she’s worried about whatever she’s thinking.

“We’ll see…” I trail off, my gaze sweeping down to her bubble bum.

I tried hard not to look, but—and I mean this is the nicest way possible—she looks like a wet dream.

The song changes to “Innerbloom” and she peers over her shoulder, looking a bit surprised. Thank God she can’t read minds because she’d kick me out.

“Wow, RÜFÜS DU SOL? Can’t believe I’m saying this but you’ve got great taste.”

Little does she know.

“What did you expect?”

“Rap or something along those lines.” She stops stirring and turns the stove top off. “Do you mind grabbing two mugs?”

I push off the fridge and grab them.

A few weeks ago, I found out she’s obsessed with mugs when I opened the cupboard and found a multitude of them stacked on top of one another. I seriously don’t understand who needs that many, but she insists she does. She also said she has more, but because of the limited space, she has them stored away.

“I do, but I also listen to other things, too.”

“What do you listen to?”

“Music.”

Steam rises as she pours the hot chocolate into the mugs. “But what kind?”

“What is this? Twenty questions?” I take a step back, feeling a little overwhelmed. I shouldn’t, but I’m not used to this unless it comes from Reid, because I know it’s his job, but even then he irks me.

“I guess.” She grabs the bag of mini marshmallows and counts fifteen before dropping them in. “To make it fair, you can ask me questions, too.”

I push my glasses up the bridge of my nose. “Who said I wanted to know anything about you?”

Her face scrunches at my voice. “Fine, be an ass. I just thought I’d make it fair, but forget it. I don’t want to know anything about you.”

I tuck my chain inside my shirt, feeling more than overwhelmed. I don’t like being poked or prodded with questions. Not by my best friends and certainly not by a girl I hardly know.

“You can’t expect anyone to understand you if you’re not willing to give a little of yourself.”Reid had said in one of our sessions.

I can’t believe I’m doing this.

“I’m sorry.” I shift from one foot to another under the weight of her inquisitive stare. “I’m not used to the questions, but I’ll answer.”

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