Page 70 of The Prospect

How his incredibly long legs dorkily dangle over the edge of the bed because of just how tall he is, and most importantly, reminiscing on the fact that not once, all night long, has Hart not rolled with the punches.

Christopher Hart—the ultimate people pleaser.

I feel like I could stay here forever, and for the first time all night, as my mind inevitably wanders back to Green, somehow, with Hart’s comfort, I have an easier time letting go of the what-ifs and instead find refuge in focusing on the now.

My eyes slowly drift shut as I use the pitter-pattering of Hart’s heartbeat to soothe me into a sleep. It’s peaceful until all at once, his raspy voice startles me awake.

“Shit!” It’s the first thing I hear him say as my eyes jolt awake.

“What? Is everything okay? What’s going on?” Instantly, I resort to assuming that the worst has happened as I sit up in a frenzy.

Hart groans in annoyance as he gestures toward the screen. “The laptop froze during the best part!”

I shift my head back toward the computer, where mid-kiss,shirtlessPatrick Swayze stands.

Shit.

“Sorry!” I apologize, reaching out to click on the keyboard in an attempt to start things back up.

It’s no use.

“Is everything okay?” Hart peers over my shoulder to catch a glimpse, but I block his view.

“Yeah, it just…” There’s no real pleasant way to tell him that this laptop is a complete and total piece of crap. “Looks like I’m going to have to restart everything.” I sigh, holding down the power button to reboot it. “Sorry, Hart,” I apologize once more. “I’m going to buy a new laptop soon, I promise. A good one. One that doesn’t freeze every time I try to use it and I can actually draw on.”

“Why? Is this one really that bad?” He leans back into my pillow. I can’t help but wonder if his scent will linger.

“Does having to charge it every hour constitute as bad?” I playfully throw his way, brushing aside that thought.

He winces. “Maybe a little.”

With a roll of my eyes, I laugh, continuing to fuss around with the device until he gestures his hand out for me to grasp.

“Let it do its thing,” he instructs, guiding me back into his chest. “Come. Lie down. I’ll grab it for us when it starts back up again.”

“Are you sure?” I hesitate. “I know some tricks on how to get it to reboot faster.”

“Reboot faster? Why would you want to do that? Are you trying to get rid of me?”

I turn bright red. “No! That’s not it at all…” My chest tightens as I gulp back. “I just thought that maybe?—”

“Gotcha,” Hart cuts me off with a laugh, relieving me instantly. “Do you know that you’re adorable when you get all flustered?” Hart brushes a loose strand of hair away from my face. It’s enough to silence me instantly. “You get all red and shifty.” He smiles, his thumb falling onto my chin. “Just like you did when you complimented me earlier…”

My eyes widen as I’m reminded of just how “adorable” my big mouth is. You know, the one that forced us to recoil back to my dorm rather than drink the night away.

“About that…” I shy my face away. “That was so cringy of me. I think I’ve come to the realization that nothing good comes from me drinking alcohol. Absolutely nothing.”

“Are you really apologizing for calling me gorgeous?” Despite this dimly lit room, there’s a glimmer in Hart’s eyes as he raises a playful brow. “Really, Hazel? I’m not sure if I should be offended or not?”

“Oh, gosh.” My head practically falls into my hands as I rub my eyes. This is getting worse and worse. Things were so much simpler when the movie was doing all the talking for us. “You know what I mean. I just didn’t mean for it to come across as awkward as it did.” I laugh to combat this embarrassment. “I’mnot sure if you noticed or not, Hart, but I’m kind of new to this whole dating thing...”

Hart flashes me a look. “Really? You don’t say.”

“Shut it,” I scold him with a playful nudge. “Besides, while we’re on this topic of apologizing, I might as well apologize for changing all of tonight's plans. I know you wanted to go back to the party, but if I’m being honest, I was over it. I’m sorry if it ruined the vibe.”

Rather than a response, Hart stays silent, giving me absolutely nothing to work with but a chuckle that he desperately tries to hide behind his hand.

“Are you…laughing at me?” I know I should be offended, but Hart’s got this laugh that makes it almost impossible not to join in. “What…what’s so funny about all this? Huh?”

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