Page 115 of Tempt

“English lit.”

I laugh. “You always wanted to be a lit major?”

“Nah. I started reading in juvie.”

He turns and descends the stairs, and the three of us exchange a look.

“Did you know…”

“No idea,” Liv says.

But there’s no time to contemplate the burly lit professor and his secrets as I follow him out to the yard to finish setting up.

“Is Daniel coming?” I ask Liv casually as I refresh my drink at one of the tables.

“He wasn’t sure. There was something he needed to do with Andy.”

She turns to look past me, and I follow her gaze to see Adam bend to grab a beer from the bucket of ice beneath the table.

“Hey, Kat. Your brother put my tape in front of some people. Thank you.”

“I hope it works out.”

“Me too.” His shoulders slump a little under his varsity jacket. “Listen, I’m sorry for barging in. I guess I was pretty worked up. It’s just that basketball’s my chance to be something other than what my family expected.”

“I get it.”

He pops the top of his drink and lifts it in my direction with a small smile.

Jules descends, wrapping an arm around my shoulders from behind. “We need one more for cornhole to kick the guys’ asses. Let’s go.”

Liv, Jules, Tess and I form a team, squaring off against Sawyer, Ric, Zander, and another of Sawyer’s friends from the department at a bunch of outdoor games, most involving tossing beanbags or balls.

It feels good to be back with my friends. Living together was amazing, but I know deep down we’ll find ways to stay connected.

Except…

I still feel like I’m missing something.

Not another person, but a piece of myself. A part of my heart I grew to know these past weeks and months.

Okay, so I do still miss one particular person. Someone with knowing eyes and dark hair and the kind of displays of caring that steal my breath.

“Kat.”

Daniel stands at the entrance to the back yard, a bottle of wine tucked under the arm of his bomber jacket. His jaw works, his hair blowing lightly in the breeze.

“Daniel.”

“How are you?” It feels like more than simple care for my well-being, but maybe that’s me hoping for the irrational.

“I’m good,” I say honestly.

His eyes shine.

“Kat, you’re up!” Tess calls before Jules shushes her. Something soft hits me in the back—a beanbag, probably.

Daniel closes the distance between us. His woodsy scent fills my nose. It’s familiar and so damn right.

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