Page 15 of A Pretty Fixation

Blinking away his annoying face, I text Aaron thatI’m free until noon, and he suggests meeting at the library in an hour or so.

I climb out of bed, shower, and haul on aknee-length floral dress and low-top Converse, leaving my hair down.

Exiting the building minutes later, I spot Aaronon route to the café.

“Aaron!” I hurry up to him when he looks over.

“Hey. I wanted to grab breakfast before heading tothe library.”

“Same.” I shrug.

An awkward pinch forms between his brows, and heclears his throat before speaking. “Listen, sorry my text gave you the wrongidea last night. I just wanted to make time for the classwork.”

I wave it off. “It’s okay. That reply was from aweird guy at the party I went to.”

“Huh.” He fixes the backpack on his shoulder. “So,you’re not seeing anyone?”

I shake my head. “Not at the moment.”

“Okay.” He ducks his head for a beat. “Uh, howabout hanging out sometime? Maybe you could show me cool spots in the city?”

A smile curls my lips. “Yeah. That sounds good.”

“Great,” he sputters, elated. He motions to thecafé.

We continue into the building, order breakfast,and sit and talk between eating.

“So, what’s your major?” I ask after a sip of mycoffee.

“Undecided at the moment. I’m considering eithereconomics or entrepreneurship.”

“I was also undecided my first semester. Then Iwent with marketing. I haven’t regretted it.”

“Cool.” He lingers on me as if studying everydetail of my appearance.

I snort. “What?”

“Your hair is pretty,” he says. “There’s this richgolden tint. It glows in the sun, like your brown eyes.”

“Thanks.” I giggle shyly. “No one’s ever describedmy hair and eyes in that way.”

“Well, youarebeautiful.” He blows a sharpbreath and looks at his half-eaten sandwich. “Oh, man. I must seem so corny toyou.”

“Not at all. It’s sweet.”

He peers up with a spark in his eyes. “Hm.”

We finish eating and head to the library, sharinginterests while working on the assignment.

When it’s close to my class time, I get up fromthe table to search for a book. I’m about to turn down an aisle when someonegrabs my arm and pulls me into a quiet corner.

Caleb.

“Hello, Jordyn.” Dimples go on full display withhis smile, and flashes of my hot dream flood my mind.

“You scared me,” I grit and try to leave, but hetugs me back into the corner.

“You ignored my text. Not nice.” He sticks hishands in the pockets of his joggers. I regard his soccer jersey and the gym bagdraped across his body, emphasizing his firmness.

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