Page 30 of The Perfect Love

And what is that sultry lilt in my voice? Who am I?

I’m Chelsea Winters, and I want to enjoy every second of this. Falling for him. Because I already know that’s what I’m doing.

He hands me back my books, and with a lingering look, walks away.

I watch him go and literally fan myself because that whole interaction left me overheated and overstimulated—both in the best ways.

“Well, seems like things are good between you two.”

I turn to look at Rae, who is smiling mischievously.

“Oh boy, he’s right. You do meddle.”

“No meddling. He asked me to check on you, but it seems he got to you first.”

I look back at the door he walked out of. “Am I totally insane for feeling all swoony and cotton-candy brained over him?”

She laughs. “Nope. I still feel that way.”

“And who makes you feel like that?”

We both turn at the sound of Aaron’s voice.

Rae shrugs. “Eh. Just this sexy guy I know.”

“Where is he? I’ll fight him.”

I can’t help but laugh. “You two are adorable. And kinda gross.”

They both shrug.

“It’s our thing,” Aaron says.

“Do you two have a lot of classes together?” I ask when I realize he’s heading to the classroom with us.

“Yeah. Aaron’s studying to be a school counselor, so we have the same core classes and try to schedule them together. Way better when you can do a group project with someone you like and trust.”

I smile at that. “That’s sweet. And it must be nice having a built-in friend in class with you.”

She loops her arm through mine. “Now you do too.”

Transferring here, I had hopes for what could happen, but kept my expectations low. It wasn’t on my bingo card that I’d make a new friend—who comes with plenty more—and meet the sweetest marshmallow of a guy, even if he seems a little growly and grumbly on the outside.

The cynical, untrusting side of me says it’s too good to be true, but I actively shut that shit down, beating it to death with positivity because these are good things.

Good things.

Things I deserve.

6

Last First Date

Trevor

“Pull the phone backfrom your ugly mug so I can see your outfit.”

“Wow, thank you for that long distance hug, Hy. I’m so glad I called you.”

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