Page 117 of Edge of Unbroken

“Okay, I’m also wearing jeans—the low-rise ones with the worn knees,” I remind him because I know he likes those jeans on me. “And a stone-washed black t-shirt.”

“Is that it?” His voice is my favorite kind of husky.

“I’m also wearing a navy thong and a matching bra,” I say, my voice imitating his.

“A thong?” There’s a hitch in his breath.

“Uh-huh. Vada and I may have gone shopping recently and I thought I’d try something new for when you get back.”

“God, baby,” he growls. “The fact that I’m not with you is fucking maddening.”

“I hope this at least helped you create an image?”

“Are you kidding me? I told you my imagination is very vivid when it comes to you. I’m getting hard just thinking about you.”

I blush again. I’m still not completely used to discussing all things sex so openly, but I more than enjoy the effect I have on Ronan. “Really?”

“Cat, we need to change the subject. I’m really pent-up and thinking about you in a thong, or, fuck, just thinking about you at all isn’t really helping the situation.”

“Sounds like you need to do something about it,” I tease, like he has teased me in the past.

“Oh, trust me, I do,” he chuffs. “Way too much, but it’s just not the same as feeling you. So, why don’t you open those letters. Please.” He chuckles.

“Okay, which one first?”

“Close your eyes, shuffle them, and pick one randomly.”

“You’re so brilliant.” I close my eyes and mix the letters before grabbing one between my thumb and index finger. “Okay, Duke first.”

“Go for it,” he says, and I think he’s holding his breath. I put Ronan on speaker, put my phone on the bed, and slowly tear open the envelope. It feels monumental, which I know has a lot to do with the pressure my dad has been putting on me.

“Oh god, I’m so nervous,” I say as my heart hammers in my chest. I suddenly don’t know what I want the letter to say; do I want it to be a yes or a no?

“Dude, me too, and it’s not even my letter,” Ronan huffs.

I giggle at him calling me dude. I pull out the piece of paper, unfold it, and begin to read.

“Cat?” Ronan says after several seconds of silence on my end. “What does it say?”

“I got in,” I say, blinking in total disbelief. “I got into Duke. Holy shit!” I exclaim and my eyes flit back to the beginning of the letter, scrolling through the first paragraph to make sure I didn’t misread. But I didn’t. It’s an acceptance, and I feel happy… and torn.

“Baby, that’s incredible,” Ronan says. “I’m so proud of you! Congrats!” I could crawl through the phone and hug him.

“Thank you, sweet boy.” I put the first letter aside. “Shall we open number two?”

“We shall.”

I repeat the process, closing my eyes, shuffling the remaining two letters, and taking the top one.

“NYU,” I say, and tear open the envelope. A huge grin forms on my face when I spot the wordCongratulations. I almost scream into the phone. “It’s a yes!”

“Baby, you’re killing it,” Ronan says with a smile in his voice. “You’re fucking amazing.”

“I wish you were here with me,” I say, already grabbing the last letter from Columbia.

“Me, too. Soon though… I hope.”

“Ready for number three?”

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