Page 40 of Dryad, Try Again
“Ah, well, you looked so lost in thought. I’m on break, so I figured I’d stop by and say hi. I know we said we’d cool our jets on the weekdays, but I had this extra pastry, and—”
“Tanner, you don’t have to explain.” I grin and take the treat bag. The aroma of cinnamon floods my nose and I tap my chest. “This is amazing, thank you.”
“Ah, it’s no big deal.”
I munch on the werebear claw and he scoots closer to me on the bench. A warm day with my favorite treat and my favorite guy feels heavenly. My skin prickles with excitement and we’re not even touching shoulders. “But it means a lot. I don’t want you spending all your money on treats I can buy myself.”
“Can’t a guy do a nice thing for his boyfriend?”
I grin. “Of course. But fair warning: you keep being this cute, I’ll want you to cuddle with me and stay.”Ideally forever. I know it’s crazy early, but I haven’t seen a reason why I would want to leave Tanner. I’m sure he’ll eventually find out I’m not worth it, that I could never be the perfect life partner for him because of what I am. But until that day comes, I’ll enjoy our time together.
“I’d…like that.” His cheeks burn an adorable pink.
“Go for it.” With that, I scooch back and he places his head on my thighs. Tanner is a warm, solid weight, and I find I like having him here. I card my fingers through his blazing red hair,and he closes his eyes and hums. The plant life quivers around me, and I try to tamp down how turned-on this boy gets me.
“How was your day?” he murmurs.
“Nothing exciting. I’m the loser who’s studying international biomes for fun.”
“You’re not a loser. Your thirst for knowledge is commendable. And crazy attractive.”
I bite back a swoon. Tanner keeps saying all the words I’ve wanted to hear. Having him as a boyfriend is the best, even if it’s not forever.
“Thanks, Tanner.” I play with his fingers, and it feels like we’re the only two people in the world.
“Your expertise is why you snagged that internship with the dean,” he says.
“Yeah.” I sigh and look up.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m not one-hundred percent sold on it.”
“Hit me with your troubles.”
I caress his cheek, and with his eyes still closed, he smiles. “It’s like, I love the idea of a job after graduation. Ensuring income…”
“It’s important,” he remarks.
“Yeah, but I kind of wanted to expand my branches. Literally. I was hoping the OME would hire me for something beyond the reaches of this school.”
“I get it.” He opens his eyes and I look down at those green orbs. “You have ambition. And the world will be a better place if you get to show off your skills.”
My soul wants to wrap Tanner up and plant him in the garden of my heart. “Thanks, babe. How about you?”
“Hm?”
I toy with his fingers. “How’s work?”
“Coffee life is busy, but Seth is cool.” He hums and closes his eyes again when I rub his scalp.
“I meant on the weekends.”
He shrugs. “Construction is alright.”
“Really?”
“Well, it was a low barrier of entry in high school, had decent hours for a teenager. I needed the money for books and pencils.”
