Page 160 of A Little Broken

I shake my head. “Nerd.”

“You know you love it.” She snaps Hades’ leash onto his collar. “By the way, can you thank him for me?”

“For what?”

“For making me feel less guilty about ditching you tonight. Make sure you lock up when you leave.”

“Who says I’m leaving?” I counter as she heads toward the door.

“Aw, you’re cute.” Grasping the handle, she twists it and opens the front door. “Love you!”

I bite my lip to keep from arguing with her when we both know she might be onto something. Instead, I reply, “Love you!” as the front door closes behind her.

Satisfied I’m alone, I unlock my phone again, finding another text from Pax.

Pax

This is the part where you say you miss me, too.

Me

Do I?

Pax

Shit, I hope so.

My mouth lifts.

Me

Miss you, too.

Pax

Good or else this would be really awkward.

Knock, knock.

My head snaps toward the front door.

Is he really here?

Unfolding myself from my bed, I pad toward the entrance and rise onto my tiptoes to peek through the peephole.

There he is. Chocolate shakes in hand.

Unlocking the door, I lean against the doorjamb, saying, “What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t getting in until tomorrow.”

“Changed my flight.” His gaze slides down my body, dancing with mirth. “I like your outfit.”

After a quick glance at my body, I grimace. “It’s a coincidence.”

“Sure, it is.”

I tug on the hem of the IndieCent Vows hoodie I purchased online a few years ago and clear my throat. “So?”

“So…” He moves forward, and my nostrils fill with the familiar scent of his cologne, making my mouth water.

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