Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“For the win,” Ian says, holding up the card. “The Vampire Diaries is based on what book series?”
Dex smiles because he knows I got this. “Vampire Diaries! Duh! Easy-peasy.”
“What?” Carson whines. “That sounds like a trick question.”
“Please, you would’ve never guessed it anyway,” Milo says.
“Have you even heard of The Vampire Diaries?” I ask with a smirk.
Milo and Dex high-five.
Carson harrumphs. “You guys are never allowed to be teamed up again.”
“The gloating is a little much,” Ian adds with a wink.
Everyone laughs.
Milo announces he’s got a hot date to whoops and hollers, and then everyone is packing up and going their separate ways.
Dex stands and stretches. “Feel like heading up to my room and watching something?”
“The Vampire Diaries?” I tease. “The characters are total snacks for being the undead.”
Dex grins. “Bloodsucking is hot.”
“Have fun, kids,” Milo says as he heads out the door.
“Back at you,” Dex replies.
I follow him up, glad that his roommate isn’t there because I’m pretty peopled out. Just the way it is with us introverts.
“Does Milo date a lot?” I ask when I notice his disheveled bed, with clothing strewn about, like he’s been deciding what to wear.
“Actually, this is the first time I’m hearing about anyone.”
“Aw, hope it goes well.”
“Austin, the hopeless romantic,” Dex says as he climbs into bed.
When he holds open the comforter for me, it reminds me of our time at the dorm when I was always fiddling with the thermostat.
“Says you, who remembers how cold I get,” I reply, sliding in beside him.
“That doesn’t make me romantic, just a good friend.”
“Okay, whatever you say.” He fires up his laptop, and we decide to rewatch a comedy we’ve seen one too many times.
As we wait for a pop-up ad to end, I spot something on his desk chair. “Hey, there’s my hoodie.”
“Darn, I forgot to hide it,” he teases. “I hope you don’t plan on stealing it back.”
My stomach floods with warmth over the idea of him keeping it because it smells like me. “Did you finally wash it?”
“Nope.”
I playfully push his shoulder. “Ew, all yours.”
“Yay, I win.”
As the opening credits roll, Dex reaches over to cut the light, and we relax against his pillows.
By the time the movie ends, I’m in the fog of sleep, and we’re pressed against each other from shoulder to thigh, much like we used to be in the dorm.
The difference this time is that his bed is bigger, so there’s no need for us to be this close.
I know I need to move, to get up and leave, but it feels too damned good. Dex must have the same idea because when I open my eyes, he’s staring at me.
“I thought you were asleep,” he whispers. “I would’ve left you alone.”
“Not asleep yet.” I turn to my side, and he does the same so we’re facing each other. “Just too cozy right now.”
“It is.” He yawns. “And I wouldn’t mind if you stayed a while.”
We lie breathing side by side as the air crackles with tension.
His gaze slides from my eyes to my mouth, and as I do the same, I wonder if he’s thinking the same thing. How his lips would feel against mine. In the stall, his mouth at my neck made me tingle all over, and now I ache to reach out and touch him, but it’s probably a bad idea.
It’s disconcerting thinking of Dex in this way after living together and being best buds since childhood. That night at the bar, we got each other off, and that’s something I never could’ve dreamed would happen with him. So maybe having these thoughts about my best friend is natural after what we shared. At least I like to think it is because if not, it means something else that’s way more intense.
Dex hesitantly lifts his hand to push my hair behind my ear, though it’s barely grown out enough to do that. My pulse is going crazy as his fingers brush along my jawline and up to my cheek.
“I’ve always loved your hair.”
I’ve had the overwhelming desire to be seen by someone, to be touched, and the way Dex is looking at me right now makes the butterflies in my stomach perform dive bombs.
“I’d trade you in a second, Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.” My thumb feathers against his cheekbone, and when I hear his breath hitch, I realize this is different for him too. That maybe he enjoys being with me just as much. Just comfortably ourselves.
Except, lately, he makes me feel all warm and shuddery, and I don’t know what to think about any of it. Not only because we’re best friends but also because Dex doesn’t want anything real with anyone.
“I know you won’t believe me, but you’re gorgeous.” Dex’s voice is throaty, and I hold my breath, praying I won’t pass out. “You’re going to find someone who deserves you. Who loves everything about you and makes you happy.”