Page 133 of Counter Bet

“I miss us.”

“I miss your lips on my skin.”

“I’ll never hurt you again.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m waiting.”

“I love you.”

Scarlett takes them off me when I’m done and scans her eyes over the written messages, humming in approval. “Not bad. So, here’s the plan. I’ll place a photograph on his desk before he arrives for class. Jane studies economics with him, so I’ll get her on board too. Together we will break him down.”

“You’re quite scary when you want to be.”

She winks and taps the side of her nose. “Trust me. I live for this stuff. Anyways, you know where Dallas works. Just turn up and be yourself.”

It sounds so simple.

I sink back down on the bed, doubts creeping in. “What if Ben doesn’t want me back?”

Scarlett rolls her eyes. “Don’t say that. Besides, he’s a dick if he doesn’t take you back. Don’t you want to at least try? If it doesn’t work out, then who knows, maybe you’ll finally be able to give Landon a shot?”

I laugh. “It’s not like that with us.”

“Girl, don’t! Landon is crazy about you. It’s platonic in your head, but not in his. He’s playing the long game. So for your sake and his, give this a try so you can move on either way.”

“You’re right.” I need to move on either way, and this will be my final try.

* * *

Landon’s arm weighs heavily on my shoulder. I stare at the fountain in front while he talks to his friends. The sound of the splashing and gurgling water drowns out their conversation. I look up and freeze when Landon pulls me into his body. Ben is walking across the grass outside the front steps to the business building.

I can hardly breathe. Emotions well up inside of me like a burst dam. The whole world seems to simply stop, and so does my heart when I spot the girl clinging to his arm. Ben smiles at her, and it hurts knowing it used to be me on the receiving end of that smile.

Gone is the brightly colored hair. It’s now black, reminding me of Dallas’ raven hair.

As if he can feel me watching him, he turns his head, and our eyes connect. It hits me right in the chest like an arrow to my heart.

The sound of Landon’s laughter and the weight of his arm around my shoulder fades out.

Ben falters in his step before sweeping his gaze past me to Landon. He then looks away as he takes the steps to the building two at a time.

I shrug off Landon’s arm and take chase. I don’t think. I just run. Landon shouts after me, but I don’t look back. I run up the steps to the building and burst through the doors as if my clothes were on fire.

I’ve never been here before and don’t know this building at all. Students crowd the main hallway, which branches off in several directions. I push forward, sweeping my gaze down side corridors, praying I haven’t missed him. I will not lose him this time.

“Ben!” I yell when I finally spot him outside one of the auditoriums further down the hallway.

He stiffens, turning slightly, looking at me over his shoulder. Students stare at me as I run to catch up to him, but I don’t care.

I round him, deliberately blocking his path. “Hey…”

He stares at me, brows pulled down low.

My smile falters. “I haven’t seen you in a long time. How are you?” I search his brown eyes for any kind of sign that he still feels something for me, but his mask is iron-clad. He gives nothing away.

I turn my attention to the girl by his side and muster up my last bit of courage. “Hi, I’m Emily.” I hope my smile can pass for friendly and doesn’t look as forced as it feels.

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