Page 38 of A Pretty Fixation

Regardless of how I fight, being with Caleb stirsa tidal wave of excitement that slams into me over and over. It’s crazy that Idon’t want to escape.

My heart feels ablaze with sweet fire, andsomewhere inside, I’m dancing in the pleasure that he finally notices me.

These emotions are so baffling.

The only way to make sense of them is to remember,and I can’t risk it. That flashback at the museum may not have beenfrightening, but who knows what will happen if I willingly go peeking.

We finish our ice-creams before returning to thecar, and Caleb finally heads back to campus, arriving in time for sunset.

I’ve seen many but have never paused. Perhaps it’sbecause Caleb is also lingering in the car.

I sneak glances at him. He’s staring out thewindshield at the array of fiery orange and vibrant yellows.

How many glances have I stolen when we were kids?Why does it feel like I was only ever watching from afar?

I lower my gaze when he looks at me.

“Sunsets always remind me of you,” he says. His wordssoothe every fiber of my being until I realize he meant them for Dove.

Annoyed, I reach behind for the box of roses andget out of the car.

Caleb follows me from the parking area towards mydorm. I slow to a stop when I see Aaron outside the building, phone in hand.

Crumpling his brows as if confused, he bounces hisgaze from me to Caleb and then at the roses. “I guess you changed your mind.”

It dawns on me. “Shit... We made plans. I’m sorry.I forgot.”

“So it seems. I tried to call, but your phone’s off.”

“It’s in my pocket,” Caleb deadpans at my back.

I pivot, remembering that he took my phoneearlier.

“I thought I told you to stay away from her,” hegrunts. “She’smine. Find someone else.”

“You…” I bite my lip, unable to argue becausesomething inside doesn’t want me to.

Aaron huffs, and I turn back to him.

“She’s obviously made her choice.”

“Aaron...”

He marches off, swerving down the path.

I look at Caleb. “I told you I was going out withhim. That’s why you powered off my phone.”

He snorts. “Youtexted me, Jordyn.Remember? If you truly wanted to go out with the guy, you wouldn’t have beenthinking about me.”

“It’s because you keep hounding me,” I grit. “Youwant me to be that girl.”

In an instant, he closes the gap and clutches mythroat. “That memory proves you are. There’s no need to keep fighting me. Butby all means, baby, let the fire rise. It’ll be even more thrilling when youfinally surrender and we burn together.”

My skin heats up as he presses his thumb at mypulse point.

Swallowing down the desire, I demand, “My phone.”

Caleb smirks. “It’s in my left pocket. Feel freeto let your fingers roam.”

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