Page 69 of The Prospect

“And you’re fun to wind up,” I retort. “I guess Green was right about you.”

Green.

Christ. I don’t think I’ve gone longer than ten seconds without thinking about that intimate moment he shared with Amira.

I so desperately wish I could just wipe everything away from my memory, but I can’t. I’ve made my bed, and now I have no other choice but to lie in it.

The fact of the matter here is that I should see their kiss as a reminder. A reminder that I too have an objective I need to accomplish tonight with Hart.

There’s no way I can allow Green to soar miles ahead of me.

No way.

“Alright, you.” Hart stands up from the desk chair and plants a kiss on my forehead. “Go and clean up. That way, we can head back over to the party.”

Hart’s touch lingers on my skin for what feels like ages. All the while, I come to the conclusion that going back to the party is the last thing I want to do tonight.

There’s nothing there for me.

All I need right now is already here with me in this room…

But what about Green?There’s that nagging voice again.

He has no idea where you are.

I brush aside the thought and fixate on another. Green focused on himself tonight. He wasn’t worried about me orwhere I was. I should focus on myself and not worry about what or who he’s doing.

Stop, Hazel.

“On second thought, Hart.” My mouth moves faster than my mind as I shift my weight from one leg to the other. “How would you feel if we skipped the party and just hung out here instead? You know, maybe watch a movie?”

Hart looks down at me inquisitively.

“Do you haveGhost?” he asks.

I bite down on my lip.

“Is that even a question?”

TWENTY-ONE

H A Z E L

With his armdraped along my shoulder, I find myself settled beneath the crook of Hart’s neck, nestled in close as he soothingly runs a hand up and down my spine.

I’ve never been comfier in my life—truthfully, sweatpants and a jumper, cozy socks on my feet, all the while I’m laying in bed with a human heater practically clung to my side.

It’s nice—no. It’s better than nice.

It’s right—this feels right.

“They really nailed the casting of this movie.” Hart points toward the screen, smiling as Patrick Swayze makes an appearance in his maroon button-down. “I could never picture anyone else in this role but him.”

I hum to agree.

Rather than re-watching this movie for the hundredth time over, I’ve found myself hyper-fixating on Hart instead.

The way his cheeks dimple inwards when he smiles.

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