Though truly, I’m not exactly sure.
Gina and I have become closer. She’s not going to see Chad as much, giving him a little breathing room and herself too. Jade has become a good friend and I’m so thankful that she stayed loyal despite everything that happened between Gabe and I. She admitted telling him that I wasn’t pregnant after all and I was glad she did that.
And sad he didn’t bother talking to me about it.
I need to move on, though. It won’t be easy, dealing with him for the marketing project but what can I do? This will be a good test for my future. We all have to deal with things we don’t want to at some time or another in our lives. This is a part of life. So Gabe and I were involved for a short period of time. So what? I can deal with this. So can he. We’re mature adults who can remain friends.
When Professor Bailey releases us, though, my stomach starts to churn with nerves. I stuff my tablet into my backpack and slowly rise to my feet, slinging the backpack over my shoulder as I watch everyone fight their way out of the room. I smile at a girl as she passes by, my gaze flicking from hers when I see him.
He’s watching me.
My knees wobble and I try my best to smile at him but my lips quiver so I stop. I wait for him to approach as he comes up the stairs, his gaze never leaving mine, his always smiling mouth somber, his entire expression solemn.
Oh God, he hates me. I know it. And I can’t blame him. Maybe this won’t work out after all. I’m a liar. I broke his heart and he broke mine and there is no way we can play nice while trying to put a freaking project together. I’m delusional I just know it—
“Hey Luce.” His deep, warm voice washes over me, making me weak and I release a shuddery sigh.
“Hi.”
He stops directly in front of me, scooting into the aisle so he’s not in the way of the other students leaving. “You look good.”
I glance down at myself. I’m wearing yoga pants and a light gray hoodie I picked up at WalMart for super cheap. My hair is in a sloppy bun and I have mascara and lip gloss on, that’s it. I thought about dressing up for him but was afraid that would be too obvious.
So I went for the extra shabby chic look instead.
“Thanks,” I finally say because how else can I reply? “You look good too.”
And he so does. He’s wearing jeans and a black long sleeved T-shirt that molds perfectly to his chest and arms. His hair is even longer than the last time I saw him and he is just mouthwateringly delicious.
I wonder if he’s moved on.
I wonder if he’s found another girl to replace me.
I frown. The thought is too depressing to contemplate.
“So I don’t know if you realize this,” I start, uncomfortable with how closely he’s watching me. His gaze is on my mouth, making my lips tingle and I shift away from him, feeling silly. I’m totally overreacting. “But Professor Bailey wants us to work on our project together. Since I haven’t been to class much and you haven’t either I guess…”
“Yeah, he told me.” He steps closer, the heat and scent from his body reaching out to me, making me feel all shivery inside. “You don’t mind working with me?”
“No.” I shake my head. “You don’t mind working with me?”
“Of course not.” Another step. He gets any closer and we’ll be touching. The room is empty save for Professor Bailey who’s down at the podium gathering up all of his materials. I really hope he’s not watching us. “I’ve missed you.”
Oh. I didn’t expect that. Not at all. “You have?” I ask like a dork.
He nods, takes another tiny step. I glance down, see that we’re literally toe to toe. What is he doing? My heart starts beating so hard I’m afraid he could see it moving beneath my sweatshirt. “Being away from you gave me time to think.”
“About what?” I croak.
“About you. Me. Us. Together.” He touches me and I close my eyes, savoring the feel of his fingers catching mine. We’re sharing the same air, the same space, his body brushing against mine and slowly I open my eyes to find that he’s watching me so very, very carefully. “I want there to still be an us. I know we’ve had a few rough starts but I think—I know you’re worth it.”
I curl my fingers around his, holding him tight. “You really think so?”
“I fucking know so.” He starts to chuckle. “Is that all you can do, Luce? Ask a bunch of questions every time I tell you something?”
He reaches with his free hand to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering, drifting down my cheek. “Do you still think I might be worth it?” he asks quietly. My skin flushes hot from his touch and my thoughts scatter everywhere. I have no idea what I planned to say so I blurt out the first thing that comes to my mind.
“Kiss me and shut me up before I say something really crazy,” I whisper.
“That sounds like the perfect plan,” he murmurs just before he claims my mouth with his.
I’m kissing Lucy in what I thought was an empty classroom when I hear the clang of the door shutting, startling us both so that we spring away from each other like pre-teens being caught necking in the closet. Her cheeks are flushed and her eyes are bright. She’s wearing that look she gets when she’s that adorable combination of flustered and aroused and I realize then just how damn much I missed her.
And how much she really means to me.