Page 61 of Pitcher Perfect

Austin:wanna come over and watch Bourdain with us and tell Ty all about your durian eating experience?

Caleb:totally! Now?

Austin:yeah, whenever

Caleb:can I bring anything?

Austin:just you. We have Ty’s meatballs and some beer in the fridge

Caleb:Ty’s meatballs aren’t the ones I’m interested in

Austin:[smirk emoji]

Caleb:see you soon :)

Austin::)

“Austin and Caleb sitting in a tree. F-U-C-K-I—”

I thwapped Ty on the arm. I tried to focus on the episode again but kept checking the clock on my phone to see how much time had passed.

After four long minutes, Ethan took my phone away. “Even if he already had shoes on, it’ll take at least five minutes. You’re stressing me out.” He smiled teasingly.

I huffed out a breath and crossed my arms over my chest.

Only a couple of minutes later, someone knocked on the door.

I jumped up from the couch. “Coming!”

“Not until we’re out of the room,please,” Ty called.

I flipped him off over my shoulder.

Seeing Caleb on the other side of the door was like finding a freshwater source after getting lost on a hike in the desert. I pulled him into a hug without overthinking it.

“Hey.” He chuckled. “You okay?”

I must’ve squeezed too tight. “Better. Good to see you.” I cupped his cheek and gave him a chaste but lingering kiss.

Definitely not the greeting for two casual people hanging out, but he was good enough not to comment on it—though his eyes screamed,That’s the kind of greeting I could get used to.

Socan I.

He held up a bag. “I brought dessert.”

“Do you just happen to keep a supply of pastries, or did you magically whip something up in the last five minutes?” I turned, walking back to the TV room and gesturing for him to follow.

“I was testing out some recipes for the chamber event earlier. You guys can be my guinea pigs.”

When we reached the guys, I noticed Ethan had taken the spot I’d vacated, which left a cozy spot for two on the far end of the sectional.

While Caleb greeted everyone, I ran to the kitchen to get a fresh round of beers. Caleb was settled in Ethan’s former spot when I returned and answering rapid-fire questions about the taste and texture of durian.

“No, the flesh is softer, like a creamy cheesecake.”

To the soundtrack of Ty making exaggerated gagging sounds, I thought about how I hadn’t felt so content in a long time.

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