Page 26 of The Perfect Love

I wish I wouldn’t have gotten so caught up with Trevor last night because he’s a good friend of Rae’s and I’d love to build a friendship with her. Hopefully she doesn’t think I’m crazy after how I ran away from Trevor.

I’m trying not to think about how he might see me now. The connection between us was intense and maybe could’ve led tosomething more if I’d handled things differently. Instead, I let myself get caught in the rush of chemistry and lust. Now, here I am. Trying to skip school on my second day.

I’m a freaking mess.

“How about this?” Robbie smiles at me. “Get up, get your stuff, and go stop by the coffee place downtown. I’ll put in an order for you. Not to bribe you, but to help give you a good start to your day. Deal?”

I give him a weak smile. “I guess I can do that.”

“It’s all about mindset. And if you can’t get to that place on your own, let some delicious coffee do it for you.”

He makes a good point. I don’t want to get stuck in this mental space. Yesterday was a good day. Last night derailed things. Coffee can totally fix all that. Right?

I have no idea, but I don’t have a choice, so I give Robbie a hug, channel my inner Lorelai Gilmore, and head for the coffee place with the hope coffee can fix me and all my problems.

Okay, maybe Robbie was right.

I’m easily bribed.

But also, coffee is life. Especially when it’s this good.

Plus, I put on one of my favorite playlists and drove to campus with the windows down and music blaring. It’s a simple thing, but it’s always healing for me. Screaming the lyrics while the late summer lake breeze whirls through the window is a soul-soothing, spiritual experience.

Walking across campus, I feel a little more confident again. Calmer, at least.

I’m still jamming to music, and it’s hard not to have aZoey’s Extraordinary Playlistmoment and break into a song anddance routine tocut!by Maren Morris and Julia Micheals—which speaks to my soul right now.

I take another drink of my coffee, then look at my phone quickly to double check which building I’m headed to. When I slip it back into my bag and focus in front of me again, I stop short.

Twenty feet away, standing at the edge of a sidewalk near a bench is Trevor Matteny, staring at me hesitantly.

Well, that happened faster than I thought it would.

I don’t know what to say to him. Apologizing feels wrong because I did what was right for me in that moment, even if I wasn’t clear about why—or anything else.

But since it would be rude or downright ridiculous to walk away now, I give a tiny smile and an awkward wave.

Great.

Slowly, he makes his way over to me, like I’m a wild horse and if he moves too fast, he might spook me. Which is probably fair.

“Hi,” he says.

“Hi.” I pull my earbuds out and tuck them into my purse.

“I wasn’t sure if I should come over to you or not. After last night… I don’t want to push you. If anything I did was too far or too much—”

“Trust me. In this situation, I’m the problem. Not you.”

Those dark eyes flicker with intensity as he takes me in. “Are you okay?”

Talk about a loaded question.

“I am… I’m just… Last night was…” And I’m speaking in half-sentences again. Brilliant. “I’ve just sort of sworn off guys,” I quickly sputter. Which isn’t not true, but it’s also not the smartest thing I could’ve said because if he asks me why…

Trevor’s looking at me, amused, and I wonder if every single thought I’m having is visible on my face.

“I can respect that. My intention coming over here wasn’t to get a date. It was to see if you’re okay.” He runs a hand through that sexily messy hair of his, and I swear a part of me melts. Probably the last of my resolve. His jaw ticks, then he continues. “Okay if I’m honest, I also came over here because I can’t stop thinking about last night—you. I felt a connection between us. I want to get to know you better, even if all you can give me is friendship. But if you’re not interested, that’s okay too.”

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