Page 70 of In The Dark
I bite my lower lip to fight off a smile, but it’s no use.
Happy.
I’ve always been the positive girl. The one who makes other people laugh and finds the good in every day, but I don’t remember the last time I was trulyhappy. Even with Brian it felt like something was missing. These days, I don’t want to go to sleep because I want to stay in the moment for as long as I can. I wake up smiling, and I know it’s because of Hunter.
Sometimes when we’re in bed, I’ll catch him looking at me out of the corner of my eye. He has this cute, dopey smile on his face, and it makes me feel like I’m on top of the world.
I never want to come down.
“Yeah.” My grin breaks free, and I giggle. “I’m so fucking happy.”
She squeals again and jumps into my arms. “When can I meet him?”
“How does right now sound?”
“Wait. Is he here?”
“He might be waiting in my bedroom,” I say, swatting at her hand when she pinches my cheek. “He wants to meet the most important person in my life.”
“Bring him out. I need to judge him for myself.”
I climb off the couch and practically skip down the hall. When I get to my bedroom, I slip inside and close the door behind me.
Hunter is sprawled out across my bed, a book open in his lap and an arm tucked behind his head. He lights up when he spots me, his eyes flicking away from the page he’s reading to me. He shuts the book and opens his arms, letting me snuggle into his hold.
“Hi, angel.” He kisses the top of my head. “You look excited about something.”
“I told Skyler about you, and I feel so much better. I don’t want to keep this from her anymore. Not when I’m…” I trail off and look up at him. “When I’m really enjoying spending time with you.”
“Yeah?” Hunter loops an arm around my waist and pulls me closer. “I’m really enjoying spending time with you. What’s the verdict on Skyler?”
“You’re going to have to pass the friendship test.”
“Uh oh. What does that entail?”
“Guess you’ll find out.” I rest my hand on his cheek, and he sighs. “How do you think you’re going to do?”
“If it means winning your affection, I’m going to do my damn best.” He gestures to his backpack on the other side of the bed. “I also brought the ingredients to make soup for her since you said she’s not feeling well and a gift card to a ballet store in downtown Orlando because you mentioned she liked to dance.”
“You did all of that without having met my best friend?” I gape at him, flabbergasted. Brian couldn’t even get Skyler’s name right. The guy before him kept trying to hit on her. “Why?”
“I told you: she’s important to you, so she’s important to me.” Hunter’s grin is sly. “I also really want her blessing.”
My heart somersaults in my chest, and I know one day I could love him. Down the road, in a couple months, after Fright Nights finishes and he has more free time to spend with me, it would be easy to admit those feelings.
How could I not, when he’s the blueprint of everything I’ve ever looked for in a man?
“You are—” I laugh and shake my head, disbelieving. “Very wonderful.”
“Glad you think so, angel.” He kisses me and I sigh against his mouth, giddy. “Come on. Let me meet the love of your life. I don’t usually like being in second place, but I’m willing to make an exception.”
“She knows about the serial killer thing, by the way.” I pat his chest and jump off the bed, fixing my shirt. “You might have an uphill battle.”
“I’m fully prepared for whatever is thrown my way.” Hunter picks up his backpack and holds my hand. “Lead the way, baby.”
“You’ve been here plenty of times. You know where to go.”
“Who says I don’t? I just want to look at your ass.” I laugh and tug him down the hall, finding Skyler on the couch where I left her. “Sky? This is Hunter.”
