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“I’m so sorry!” I scramble to my feet. “I thought you were… I didn’t mean—”

He lowers his hand, and I get a good look at his face. Fantastic. I punched the most gorgeous guy. Blonde hair and a jawline that is just like what I would imagine an author describing the handsome duke. Even with a red mark blooming on his cheekbone, he’s easily the most attractive I’ve ever seen.

“It’s fine.” He touches his nose, wincing. “I probably shouldn’t have snuck up on you like that.”

“No, it’s my fault. I’m sorry.” My cheeks burn. “Let me get you some ice.” I turn to the door, eager to escape the awkwardness of punching a stranger, but my body goes rigid as my handtouches the knob. Going outside means facing the crowded party again. And Mike.

A knot forms in my stomach at the thought.Hide. No, I can’t go out there yet.

“Hey.” The handsome guy points to a mini fridge tucked into the corner. “There’s ice, too.”

I let out a breath, the tightness in my chest easing. At least I can stay hidden a little longer. “Thanks.”

“There are towels and stuff in the bathroom if you need one.” He nods towards a door on the other side of the room.

“Good idea.” I hurry in there, grabbing a hand towel from a stack on the counter. Perfect. Folding it into a makeshift ice pack, I bundle the ice inside and return to the bed, perching beside him. Gently, I tap it on his cheek, examining the damage I’ve caused.

“I’m really sorry. I didn’t expect anyone to be in here.”

He raises an eyebrow. “In my room?”

I skim over my surroundings, taking in the football jerseys and stacks of textbooks. “Your room. Right. I’m sorry, I’ll just go.”

I start to stand, but he catches my arm with the ice pack. “Stay. You seem pretty shaken up. Did something happen?”

“I, uh—” What am I supposed to say? Yes, I was hiding from my cheating crush like a pathetic child and having a meltdown. I shake my head, not trusting my voice. The last thing I want is to break down in front of a complete stranger, an attractive complete stranger.

He studies me for a moment. “Look, why don’t you stay a bit? Catch your breath and treat this injured person here.”

I hesitate, glancing at the door. Mike is still out there.

“I’m really sorry,” I say.

“I’ll live.” He draws me back to sit beside him and places my hand with the ice pack on his face. “You pack a mean right hook for someone so tiny.”

I chew on my lip. “Sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

I risk a glance up at his face. His eyes are a striking green with flecks of brown and gold, like sunlight shining through a forest canopy.

“Although if you feel that guilty, I can think of a few ways you could make it up to me.” His voice dips lower.

My cheeks flush, and I quickly avert my gaze. Is he… flirting with me? No, he couldn’t be. Guys like him don’t flirt with girls like me.

I shift on the bed, very aware of how close we’re sitting, our legs nearly touching. Get it together, Lil. Just keep icing his cheek and avoid eye contact. Easy enough, right?

I chance another peek at him. The corner of his mouth quirks up in a heart-melting smile.

Yup, avoiding eye contact is definitely the way to go here. I focus my attention on holding the ice pack to his face, willing the heat in my cheeks to fade.

We sit in silence, the party’s muffled music filtering through the walls.

Focus on the task at hand. Ice the stranger’s cheek that you punched for no reason. Could this night be any more mortifying?

“So, do I get to know the name of my assailant?” he asks.

“It’s Lilian. But I usually go by Lil.”

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