“Gotta be quicker than that, stacks.” He invades my space pushing me flush against the counter. His kiss tastes like cookie dough. It’s the best of both worlds in that moment. Reluctantly moving back, creating breathing space between us, “That’s not going to keep you out of the doghouse.” I smile up at him.
“Hmm, then I must not have been giving it my best shot. Let me try that again.” And he does, the boy can kiss. Thoughts of the many girls before me filter through my mind dulling our happy moment. It’s hard not to worry about what this will become when we are back on campus. That reality is only a couple of days away. I’m not ready. What if this is just a holiday fling to him? What if he’s just another one that walks away? I like our little Christmas bubble too much.
“Hey, where’d you go?”
I sigh. Might as well rip the Band-Aid off now. Better to make a fool of myself in the comfort of my own home than to wait until we’re back on campus and come across as the clingy Jersey Chaser, because that’s the furthest thing from the truth.
“Preston, I think we should talk.”
“Oh boy. That’s never good.”
“We’re leaving in two days for school, and I don’t know what to expect when we get back there. You’ve got this whole life I don’t know anything about, and you’ve been stuck in this little bubble with me. I want you to know that this week has been amazing, but I don’t have any expectations of this going any further.”
“Wow, okay.” He steps away from the counter taking the warmth of his body with him. “I thought we’d already put this to bed.” He looks genuinely confused and maybe even a little hurt. “No, you know what, screw that. I meant what I said the other day, Clara. Don’t put this on me because you’re scared.”
“I’m not scared.”
“Then tell me what you want. No bullshit, no hiding behind made-up reasons, tell me what you want.”
I pull at the hem of my sweatshirt, worrying the fabric between the tips of my fingers. “You.”
“Thank fuck.” Then the distance between us is gone as he wraps me in his arms pulling me tightly against his chest. “We’ll figure the rest out as it comes.”
ChapterFourteen
The specialty Christmas to-go coffee cup Preston hands me radiates heat through its thin paper walls, warming my hands. The drive back to campus should be easier than the drive here. Was it really just a week and a half ago?
“This is the last one, right?” Preston asks before closing the trunk. “Is it just me or did you add another bag since we arrived?”
I shrug and look away sheepishly as he climbs into the driver’s seat.
Natalie pulls me close. “I really wish you weren’t leaving already. We didn’t get any sister time this visit.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I didn’t expect to be so…distracted.”
“You know, I really like him. I wasn’t sure when you first got here, but I think he’s good for you. You light up around him.”
“Thanks. Think Damion will warm up to him, too? I just really want them to get along.”
“Give it time. You might be twenty-one now, but you’ll always be his little sister. Lord help Charlie when she starts dating.” She shakes her head.
“Don’t let him hold a double standard over her head. Whatever Mav gets to do she should be able to, as well.”
“Thankfully, we have plenty of time before we have to worry about that.”
“Worry about what?” Damion asks.
“Oh, nothing. Just a little last-minute girl talk,” Nat assures. Damion shifts Charlie into Nat’s arms.
“Okay, you guys are driving straight back, right? Only stopping for gas and snacks?”
“Yep, that’s the plan.”
“Do you need money?”
I want to say no, but the broke college student in me wouldn’t mind a couple of extra bucks in my pocket. I hold my hand out flat in acceptance. “I mean if you’re offering.”
Damion digs out his wallet and plucks a few bills from the stack before dropping them in my waiting hand. I quickly shove them in my pocket and reach up to wrap my arms around his shoulders. “Thanks, big brother. I love you.”