Page 27 of Marked
I can’t help but smile as I read his words, immediately typing out my response.
I’ll catch a ride from Javi. See you around seven.
Sounds good. I can give you a lift back home later.
My pulse picks up speed as my fingers hover over the keyboard on my phone screen. I know what I want to say, it’s just a matter of building the courage to actually do it. I’ve had a lot of time to think, and I’m ready to take the next step with Iver. Drawing a deep breath, I steel my nerves and type my reply.
How about in the morning?
I hold my breath as I hit send, heart beating a riot in my chest as I watch the three grey bubbles dance on the screen that indicate he’s typing.
Really?
I mean yes, I’ll give you a ride in the morning if you stay the night.
Only if you want to.
No pressure.
But it’d be cool if you stayed.
I chuckle to myself as his rapid-fire texts come through, warmth blooming in my chest. There’s no question that Iver isallAlpha, but it’s adorable how he can get so flustered sometimes. Not to mention more than a little empowering for me to be the one who makes the big Alphanervous.
Okay, I’ll bring a bag in case.
Cool.
See you soon, beautiful.
I’m grinning down at my phone like an idiot when the front door suddenly swings open, Javi strolling into my cabin like he owns the place. Jolting in surprise, I toss my phone down onto the couch like it’s on fire, heat rising to my cheeks as I stare at my best friend like he just caught me with my hand in the cookie jar.
“Am I interrupting something?” Javi asks as he pushes the door closed behind him, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“What? No!” I choke, an awkward chuckle rattling from my throat as I comb my fingers through my hair, struggling to recover my composure.
He narrows his gaze suspiciously, nodding toward my phone. “Who you talkin’ to?”
I roll my eyes as I lean over to snatch it up from the couch. “I was just making plans with Iver for tonight,” I breathe, stuffing it into the back pocket of my jeans.
A smug grin spreads across Javi’s face.. “Oh yeah, what kind of plans?”
“Just watching Survivor,” I mumble.
“Oh god,” he scoffs. “You’ve got him watching that trash?”
I fold my arms over my chest, lifting my chin. “He actually watched it before me.”
Javi snorts a laugh. “Well damn, you two reallyaremeant for each other.”
I make a face at him, flipping the bird as I turn on a heel and strut down the hall toward my bedroom. His heavy boots clomp against the hardwood floor as he follows me, and I breeze inside to head for my closet while Javi pauses in the doorway, leaning a shoulder against the frame.
“Think you could give me a lift over there?” I ask as I pull the closet door open and glance around inside.
“Sure, when?”
My gaze snags on a small duffel resting on the top shelf. “Like, right now?” I ask as I press up on my tiptoes to grab the strap of the bag and pull it down.
“Alright,” he agrees readily. “You could just take my truck if you want, I don’t need it until morning.”
