Page 64 of Overtime

Rob’sdisappointed voice pulls me from my intense focus. “I think it turned into more of a word association, free range letter to you than anything else.”

“What’s wrong with that?” My only disappointment lies in the fact that there aren’t any more pages, full of his beautiful handwriting.

“It’s supposed to be a book of all the things I love about you.”

I clutch the journal to my chest and fall back on the mattress with a sigh. Did I just swoon? Is this what that overused word from romance novels feels like? “I don’t care. I love it. I’m keeping this forever.”

Rob lies down beside me, propping his head up on his hand. “You have to give it back. How else can I keep adding to it?”

Before I can pout about him being right, the door bursts open.

Alex’s voice fills my ears though I can’t see him from my spot on the bed. “Look who I found moping around in the snow!”

Rob and I sit up to find Alex dragging Mike into the room, clutching a bouquet of roses. They’re both covered with rapidly melting snowflakes, which dampen their hair.

Rob stiffens beside me. “What’s going on?”

Alex shrugs then casts a worried glance at us that he knows Mike can’t see. Sure enough, my big brother seems not only wet but miserable.

Guilt washes over me. Just because I’m having a perfectly wonderful Valentine’s Day with the man of my dreams doesn’t mean everyone else on campus is, too.

Poor Mike.

This is his first Valentine’s Day as a single guy in years. He must feel so lost and lonely.

I stuff my gifts under the pillow next to me, not wanting to rub my sweet romance in anyone’s face. “We were just starting a Star Wars marathon, and we have tons of snacks. Come veg with us.”

Warm breath washes over my ear with Rob’s harsh whisper. “Why are you inviting them in? They’re like vampires, Evie! They’ll never leave!”

I direct a glare at him to shut him up before Mike overhears then respond in my own hushed tone, “You said it yourself. We can’t keep Alex out of the room all day. Besides, you know Mike’s been in a bad place lately. Why are you being like this?”

“Because I have plans for us. Plans that involve being alone." He raises an eyebrow, like I should have known this already.

“Well, we’ll just keep them occupied and their minds off everything for a while, then when Mike’s feeling a little less down, they can go hang out somewhere else. Okay?” I clasp my hands together in the universal begging pose. I’m not above playing dirty to make sure all my boys have a nice day. Rob can’t possibly say no to me now.

And he doesn’t. With an expression that conveys defeat, he flops down onto the mattress and gets comfortable for our movie marathon.

Could this day possibly get any better?

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