Page 47 of The Reason

“Back to our picnic before the animals eat all our food.” We both laugh.

Before I part the branches for us to leave Dex grabs my arm and pulls me into him. He looks down at me with those eyes and kisses me one more time before we return to our innocent picnic date.

“Okay that’s not what I meant, but I’ll take it. I meant how do we go about this whole secret dating bit? I’ve never done this before.”

“Me neither, we will learn as we go.” We both smile at each other and finish our picnic date.

Chapter Twenty-One

Waking up for class this morning was easier for some reason.That reason is Dex. Don’t lie to yourself.I’m a bit nervous to see Dexter after agreeing to secretly date him. I’m freaking out that I’ve only been here a week and I already have something I’ve wanted for so long. It all feels like a dream, and I find myself having to pinch myself just to make sure it’s all real. I wanted to call Isabelle and Ilene so bad last night but as soon as I went to hit the call button, I got cold feet. When we agreed to keep this secret, I don’t know how secret we need to go.Am I even allow to tell my close friends our arrangement?I suppose Izzy will find out if we are even still together for her wedding in a few months. My phone buzzes as soon as I’m walking out my apartment and locking the door. I look down and instantly have a smile when I see that it’s from Dex.

“Good morning, Girlfriend”

I feel like a teenager when she gets her first boyfriend, all giddy at just the sight of this man’s name. Before I can text him back, I get another message.

“That sounded lame, but just wanted to try out the word.”

I laugh as I head to the coffee shop down the road before my eight thirty class. I should probably take my car since I have loads of work to get done tonight but it’s too beautiful of a day to miss out on. I order my coffee and when I’m waiting, I text Dex back.

“Good morning, how’s your morning so far?”

I see the three dots appear immediately and then the downloading message pops up on my phone. I wait for it to finish downloading and then the picture pops up. I whip around as soon as I see the picture of my back appear in my messages. I feel my phone vibrate again as soon as I find Dexter’s face in the crowded line going outside. I give him a smile but nothing else just in case someone else is seeing our interaction. I hear my order being called and I grab my coffee and read the message that was sent after the picture.

“Good now that I get to see your beautiful face.”

Swooning doesn’t even begin to describe my feelings for this man in this moment. I wish we didn’t have to keep anything a secret and I could show the world how much my heart beats for this wonderful man. I walk outside and walk up to him like a casual friend would.

“You’re going to be waiting awhile if you want a coffee from here Mr. LaClaire.” He chuckles when I address him by his last name.

“It’s a good thing I bring coffee from home then. I heard they had good muffins here, so I was going to try them out, but it looks like I won’t have enough time for that today.”

“You have to get here before morning rush hour, but the rumors are true. They are absolutely to die for.”

“Well, I have to head to class before I’m late. I’ll see you later in class.” I turn to start walking to school when Dexter follows.

“Here, let me walk with you…” I gulp and then give him a serious look before whispering to him.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea? Wont people get the wrong idea?” He smiles which brings out his dimples and lets out a muffled laugh.

“I’m walking you to school Allison, not showcasing that we have already kissed three times.” He winks at me, and I feel my cheeks heat up and I know I’m blushing now, but I can’t control it. I clear my throat and take a deep breath before answering him.

“Let’s go before someone that just heard you says something!” He laughs and starts to walk besides me to school.

The morning goes by so fast and I’m extremely grateful for this hour in between my classes. I have so much work already that I need to catch up on. Most of it is just reading and notes but I haven’t had time to just sit and read with unpacking and organizing.And maybe another distraction too.I need to keep my eyes on the prize and make sure I ace all my classes.

I open my book to start reading and my phone buzzes. I look down to see a text from Ilene. I decide to leave it and get back to my schoolwork. As soon as I get a few pages in, my phone buzzes again. I sigh and pick it up to see what it’s for.

“So, are we still on for the end of September for the Bachelorette party? I need to know so I can take it off of work.” I actually forgot that we were already in the month of September.

“Yes, in three weeks.”

“Okay, I’m requesting it off now then. Call me when your free, I miss your voice Al <3” I smile at her text.

“Is that something I should be concerned about?” I choke on my last sip of coffee that ive been nursing all day long and look up at Dexter.

“Dex…I mean Mr. Laclaire. What do you mean?” He smiles at my slip up and points to my phone.

“Someone else making you smile on your phone. Something I should be worried about?”Is he being serious right now? We are at school!I shake my head with a grin and let out a quiet laugh.

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