Page 17 of The Perfect Love

“I feel like I’m getting way ahead of myself. I just met him. But damn it, I want toknowhim. I’m so glad you invited me here tonight.” I blow out a breath, my words surprising me. Because I do want to know him. And after everything, that’s terrifying.

Rae laughs. “I had a feeling about you. Guess I was right.”

This is my chance. To quell my fears. To make sure I’m safe.

“Is he a good guy? I mean, you all seem pretty nice, but he’s not a jackass player who’s going to break my heart, is he?” I go for a twist on the truth. Rae has an idea of what I’ve experienced, but I’m not ready to get into that yet. Still, it doesn’t stop me from lowering my voice and letting a hint of my vulnerability shine through. “I’ve been through enough.”

I’m surprised when Sarah is the one who speaks. “Trevor isamazing.Truly. He can pick up girls, but he doesn’t play them. He has never been that type.”

“Yeah, we don’t hang out with those types of guys.” Rae squeezes my arm, her eyes meeting mine as she answers the subtext of my question.

“Sometimes you just date them to avoid your feelings for the love of your life,” Mackenzie deadpans. Though I have a feeling she’s talking about an actual player and not my experience.

Rae rolls her eyes hard. “It’s been four years! I was sixteen.” She shakes her head and looks at me. “Some things willneverdie.”

“Nope,” Amanda teases. “And I didn’t even know you then.”

“Anyway,” Sarah continues. “Trevor is caring and the absolute best boyfriend.”

My eyes go wide and I almost jolt back. “There’s nothing going on with you guys, is there? It seemed like there was something between you and Joel.” I really,reallydon’t want to be messing with some other girl’s guy. And that would make him a total dick. But they barely paid each other any attention so…

Amanda laughs at my words and then at the way Sarah mutters, “Something.”

I relax a little, but Amanda keeps pushing at Sarah. Lots of sister energy here, even between the ones who aren’t siblings.

“What was that?” Amanda asks. “It was a little garbled.”

“Shut up. We’re not talking about Joel. We’re talking about Trevor.” Sarah meets my gaze. “There’s nothing going on with Trevor anymore, but we were each other’s first… everything. I’m not saying that to freak you out. He’s incredible, but it wasn’t the right fit for us. We’re good friends now, but that’s all. And if you need reassurance about that…” She glares at the rest of the girls, who are enjoying this way too much. “I might possibly have feelings for Joel.”

“Surprised you didn’t choke on those words,” Mackenzie says.

Sarah ignores that, her gaze coming right back to me. “Trev’s been hurt, too. But I promise, he’s one of the good ones.”

There’s something about the emotion of her voice as she speaks that makes me believe it, and it puts me at ease to the point that I almost feel bad for asking now.

“Okay. Thanks.”

Miles sticks his head in the door. “You guys done with your girl talk? I’m fuckin’ starving.”

“Coming,” Rae calls. She shoves something into everyone’s hands and we make our way back outside and sit down.

Trevor’s smile is bright and almost childlike as I join him again. Miles passes around plates, but Trevor grabs mine.

“Anything here you’re not interested in?”

“It all looks great.”

Then he dutifully fills my plate with a bit of everything.

“Can I have a little extra potato salad? It’s my favorite.”

“Of course.” He grins as he adds more to my plate and sets it in front me. “Let me know if you want more of anything.”

Something hits me at that moment. He didn’t get me a drink for any other reason than to be thoughtful. It’s so stupid that it makes me want to cry, but I’d forgotten—or maybe stopped believing—that guys like that exist.

“Thanks.”

I wait until his plate is full and sitting in front of him before I start eating. An easy conversation bounces around the table as they discuss the first day of classes.

---