Page 80 of Matched

“Yeah. Definitely. Thanks, Mrs. H. That would be great. I like working here.”

She smiled. “You’ve been a model employee as far as I’m concerned. We need more people like you. Reliable, hard-working…well. I’ll say no more. It wouldn’t do you good to get a big head.”

“Ha. Yeah. Thanks. Uh, so what do I need to do?”

“Come here and fill in this form. It’s the same contract you filled in last year, so if none of your details have changed, you can go ahead and digitally sign it. You’ll receive notifications ofyour shifts the same way as usual when the new academic year begins in September.”

“Okay. Thank you.” When she slid her chair out of the way, I read through the form and digitally signed it.

“You’re welcome. Now, go and enjoy the rest of your final shift before the summer.”

“I will.” Flashing her a grin, I returned to the cart I’d been stacking with books. I couldn’t believe how well everything was working out. My boss at the student union had already offered me shifts for next semester, so I was sorted for employment. My exams were finished, my assignments had been handed in, and after this final hour was up, I’d be free to enjoy the summer with Nate.

Making my way up to the fourth floor, I shoved my earbuds in and cranked up the volume on my music player. Leaving my trolley against the wall, I picked up an armful of books, dipping into the stacks so I could return them to their rightful places on the shelves.

Arms came around my waist from behind, and I relaxed against my boyfriend’s chest. Easing one of my earbuds out of my ear, he placed a soft kiss to the side of my throat.

I sighed. “Mmm. Hi.”

“Hi.” His lips curved against my skin. “I’m done. My final project’s been submitted, and that’s it. My life as an undergraduate student at LSU is over.”

I piled my remaining books on the shelf in front of me and turned around in Nate’s grip. Pressing him into the shelves behind him, I brought my mouth down on his. He opened for me, his tongue sliding against mine as we kissed, slow and deep, until we were both breathless.

“I fucking love kissing you, Charlie B.” Cupping my face, he kissed me again, slowly grinding his hips into mine. “Feel what you do to me.”

“Same,” I breathed. “I really wish we were alone.”

“We will be.” Disentangling us, he exhaled heavily. “Okay. We’ll make the most of that later. For now, let me help you stack these books.”

“Have a good summer!” Ander shouted out of the window as he and Elliot drove out of the student car park. I waved until they couldn’t be seen anymore, and then turned to Nate, wrapping my arms around him.

“It’s weird that nearly everyone’s leaving.”

He kissed the side of my head as he rubbed my back. “I know, but they’ll all be back in September, and so will we.”

“You don’t have any regrets about staying here for your master’s, do you?”

“No. None. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. I get to have my boyfriend, my sister, and my best mate close to me, and I get to spend my free time with you.”

“When you put it that way…” I angled my head for a kiss.

Nate leaned into it for a few seconds before he ducked away from me, grabbing my hand as he led me towards his car. “Hold that thought. Before we pick up my sister and drive her to my dad’s, I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“A surprise? What is it?”

“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?”

“Obviously.” I rolled my eyes, and he swatted my ass. When I gave him a warning glare, he laughed.

“Don’t give me that look. Come on. Get in the car, and I can show you. You’ve definitely got all your stuff?”

Opening the passenger door, I nodded. “I think so. All the important things, anyway. I’ve got stuff at home, too, if there’s anything I’ve forgotten.”

We slid inside the car, and Nate started up the engine. Instead of heading towards Sophie’s accommodation, he turned right out of the car park, directing the car down a side road. After just a couple of minutes of driving, he turned into a narrow alleyway that opened up into a small parking area in front of a tall, multi-storey red brick building. Slotting his car into one of the free spaces, he switched off the engine.

“We need to get out for a minute.”

Intrigued, I followed him down the side of the building. He stopped at a door with a keypad next to it and punched in a code. Inside, we entered a lift that took us up to the sixth floor.

---