Page 59 of Campus Crush
“I want you too,” I said, because I had to. Because it was the truest thing I’d ever said. “More than I’ve ever wanted anything.”
Her lips curved, soft and hopeful. “So, I’m not too late?”
“Hell, no.” I cupped the side of her neck. “Abby, I would’ve waited for however long it took. You are worth it.”
Her eyes shimmered. “I’ve missed you so much,” she whispered, and then her gaze dropped to my lips.
That was all the permission I needed. I leaned across the console and kissed her.
It wasn’t rushed or desperate.
It was quiet, certain, filled with all the words we didn’t need to say.
Her fingers gripped the front of my shirt like she was afraid I’d disappear, and I kissed her like she was the only thing tethering me to the ground.
Fuck, it was the best kiss of my life.
Because this time I wasn’t drunk or keeping a secret. This time she knew everything and she still wanted me.
When we finally pulled apart, she was smiling and breathless. She’d never looked more beautiful.
“So we’re really doing this?” she whispered.
“Yeah.” I ran a hand down her cheek, memorizing everything about this moment. “We are.”
THIRTY-ONE
The seatbelt felt like a noose as I clicked it into place while my dad sat in the driver’s seat. I had barely buckled in when he started driving.
“Now that your business classes are underway, I really want you to see one of our real estate development projects from start to finish,” he said.
It was only the third week of classes, but my dad had officially opened his Missoula office and wasn’t wasting any time.
“This new venture is going to bring in millions of dollars, and we get to boost housing for the community. Although the most important piece is that it’s going to be our name, The Kane Group, that will be everywhere.”
“Here’s a quick lesson in business advertisement,” my dad continued. “Get your name on as many properties as possible because people trust name recognition and value that. If we’re the ones getting all these big contracts, that proves we are the best. Right, Foster?”
There was only one answer he wanted.
“Yep.”
I’d seen bits and pieces behind the scenes of my dad’s real estate development business, but this was the first project he was bringing me in on from start to finish.
“Do you always work with the same engineering firm?” I asked him.
“Not always. It depends on the project—commercial, residential, or mixed use. For this one, we’re using Holt & Associates. They’re known for their due diligence, and that reputation helps boost ours. It gives The Kane Group credibility as we try to establish a foothold in the area. They’ll handle land development, infrastructure design, permits—everything to make sure the project works with the environment. There’s already some pushback from the community about water rights, so Holt will also help with public engagement. They’ll oversee parts of the construction too, and help us decide on a contractor.”
We pulled up to Holt & Associates which had an office between Dunridge, where CFU was located, and Missoula. When we walked in, the petite blonde receptionist gave my dad a bright white smile.
He leaned on the desk and said, “We’re here to see Parker Holt. I’m Dennis Kane and this is my son, Foster. Parker should be expecting us.”
Her eyelashes fluttered in a way that made me want to vomit. She couldn’t have been much older than me, twenty-five at most. Yet, she looked positively breathless at my dad’s attention. I always hated that he had a charismatic personality when he was such a dick underneath.
“Of course, Mr. Kane,” she said. “I’ll call him right now and let him know you’re here.”
She picked up the phone beside her, pressed a button, and waited, her flirty gaze never once straying from my father’s.
Suddenly, that gag reflex wasn’t just for her behavior, but his.
