Page 38 of Fight for You (Flirting with Forever 2)

“Sure. I like doing things for people.” He shrugs again like it’s no big deal. “Speaking of, I do have something for you. You almost made me forget.”

I grin. “Hot shower sex is a bit distracting, I’ll agree.”

“You can distract me anytime you want. Just let me go get your gift first. It’s for your birthday—just a little early.”

I give him a confused look. “How do you even know when my birthday is?”

“Easy. I pay attention to details and facts.” He pauses, his dimple appearing as he smiles. “I may have overheard Piper mention you and your friends would be celebrating your birthday next weekend.” My mouth opens in surprise, and he reaches out to tap my nose with his finger. “I’ll be right back.”

“What? Where are you going?”

“Just down to my truck. I left it on the back seat.” He winks at me and hurries out the door.

What on earth? It doesn’t really surprise me that he pays attention to every little last thing he hears, but … He brought me a gift? I’m still contemplating what it all means when he walks back in the door with a brightly wrapped box, complete with a bow on top.

“Sawyer … you didn’t have to do this.”

He chuckles. “I kind of did. You’ll see why in a second.” He hands it to me. “Go on. Open it.”

I chew on my lip for a second before I carefully slide my finger under the tape and pull off the paper. My eyes get really big. “You got me an e-book reader?” Quickly, I start to shake my head and try to hand it back to him. “No. That’s too much.”

“Had, relax. It’s just one of my old ones. I figured it was probably good enough for now. I think it’s been sitting in a drawer for a year. After I dealt with Willow’s spider, I dug it out, reset it, and got it all charged up for you. It’s all yours now. Happy early birthday.” He steals a sweet kiss from me as he takes it from me, then powers it on. He pokes at the screen a few times, then turns it around so I can see it. “We can even add your smutty book club book to it.” He gets a really proud look on his face as he says, “Now you don’t have to panic when someone looks in your bag.” He hesitates at the shell-shocked expression that I know must be on my face. “Really. It’s no big deal.” He shoves his hands into his pockets.

Oh, jeez. I’m being dumb.

“I guess I’m not used to being with someone who is so thoughtful. You’re very sweet.” I lift up onto my tiptoes and urge him down to me so I can plant a kiss right on his smiling lips. As I do, my eyes close and emotion rises within me. The evidence of it leaks down one cheek. When I pull away, he frowns, and swipes his thumb over my skin. “And, Sawyer, it is a big deal. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He leans down to kiss me again. “I’m glad you like it.”

We stare at each other for a beat, and then he sighs deeply. “I wish I didn’t have to go, but I have a meeting with my advisor at noon today, and …”

“You probably could use a change of clothes.”

“Yeah,” he chuckles. “And a shirt with all of its buttons.”

“Right.” The fresh memory of him tearing his shirt off of me makes me grin like a lunatic. “You’ll let me know how it goes?”

“Of course. I’ll text you.” He touches his lips to mine again, and shakes his head with a smile.

I tilt my head to the side. “What?”

“I’m just feeling like a really lucky guy right now.” He winks and backs up to the door, pausing at the threshold for one last look at me. I don’t deny it, my skin heats with his eyes on me, and I watch him until the very second the door closes behind him, drinking in as much Sawyer as I can.

After Sawyer leaves, I plop down onto my couch to watch some TV. Space Ghost is snuggled up at my side, napping half the day away as kittens do. I binge-watch Friends and mindlessly scroll through social media, all while getting more and more excited about the possibility of an actual adult relationship. Sawyer makes me feel like the best version of myself. He shows me kindness and cares more than I’d have thought possible considering how little time we’ve spent together in the grand scheme of things. It’s weird because I feel like I’ve known him forever. Like maybe he was made for me.

At that thought, I snort a little at myself. Who knew I’d go all soft the minute someone actually treated me right? But dammit, he makes me feel good about myself, and that’s something I haven’t felt in a really long time. I try to put up a good front, but on the inside, I’ve been quietly drowning in self-loathing, wondering if I’d ever get things right.

My phone vibrates with a notification, and I’m excited, thinking it’s Sawyer about to tell me about his meeting, but then my heart sinks right down into my stomach.

It’s Ed.

Ed: Noticed you left your car at the bar last night and you took off with your student teacher.

Ed: Doesn’t seem appropriate for you to be hanging out after hours with him.

I’m stunned into stillness. Less than a minute later, more messages come through.

Ed: Okay, just keep right on ignoring me.

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