Page 41 of Never Your Girl

She covers the speaker with her hand. “We’re not done talking about this!”

I cup my fingers around my ear. “What? Sorry, can’t hear you. Bye!”

Before she can say anything else, I slip through the door. A little bell rings overhead, announcing my presence. Inside, the rich scent of coffee wraps around me like a comforting blanket, soothing my frayed edges.

It’s a splurge I don’t usually allow myself but today calls for reinforcements. I tossed and turned all night, unable to get comfortable. I couldn’t stop thinking about the guy next to me.

Normally, I make a cup before leaving the townhouse in the morning. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible, especially after sniffing what the guys had lying around the house.

Um, no, thanks.

I choose life.

I slip my phone from my pocket and pull up the campus chat app, wanting to read ColdAsIce17’s message from last night. After my life went sideways, there was no time to do it.

ColdAsIce17

Exhausting is an understatement. People love to slap a label on you and call it a day. They don’t care about the fine print.

Me

Ugh, yes. It’s like, “Sorry, I didn’t realize my life was an open book for everyone to scribble in.”

ColdAsIce17

Scribble? Nah, some people take a damn Sharpie to it.

A laugh bubbles out before I can stop it.

Me

Talking with you is so easy. How do you get it?

ColdAsIce17

I’m annoyingly perceptive. It’s one of my many talents.

Me

Oh, many talents? Modest much?

ColdAsIce17

Never. But seriously, if someone’s making your life harder, you don’t owe them anything. You’ve got enough to deal with without carrying their bullshit too.

My chest constricts at his words.

Me

Easier said than done.

ColdAsIce17

True. But you don’t have to carry it alone.

I stare at his message, the sincerity in those simple words making my throat tighten. He doesn’t even know who I am, yet somehow, he always knows exactly what I need to hear.

Me

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