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Almost like she’s frustrated with the barrier between us.
We’ve made out a lot. But always clothed. If I ever feel her bare skin under my fingertips, I might actually lose my fucking mind.
My fingers tangle in her hair, my lips brushing against her cheek. “Are you my girlfriend, Riley Johnson?”
She jerks up at my response, her eyes narrowing on my face. “I thought that was obvious. We’ve been dating for three months.”
I cup her cheek, my thumb stroking along her jaw. “I was just making sure. We’ve never explicitly said the words.”
I need the words.
I need her to tell me that I’m not the only one who’s feeling the way I do.
“We’re exclusive, Mr. Hale.” She scowls at me, but instant relief courses through me. “You’re my boyfriend and you’d better not be kissing any other girls. Especially not Oaklynn. She’s a goddamn leech.”
My chest rumbles with a chuckle. While Oaklynn had been stuck to me like glue, I have to give her credit. She’s got immense self-respect; the moment Riley and I held hands in public, Oaklynn got the message and stepped back. I was half-expecting pettiness from her, but she surprised me with her maturity. Oaklynn isn’t happy about my relationship status, because every time we pass each other in the halls of Berkshire, she scowls at me.
“The only lips I’ve been tasting are yours, Goldilocks,” I tell my girl.
Riley preens at my words. “Good. In case you need me to make it crystal clear. I’m your girlfriend; you’re my boyfriend. Oh, and I like you. A lot.”
A burst of emotion erupts in my chest. Ah, fuck.
This is the first time Riley has confessed to liking me. I was supposed to be the boy on the wrong side of the tracks, the one without a purpose. The poor, forgotten boy who has lived all his life knowing his worth is less than a penny.
Because Grayson Avery was simply worthless.
My value was grotesque; living a life of desolation. He didn’t deserve Riley.
But…Grayson Hale has a girlfriend now. How did this happen? How did I end up with a beautiful, smart woman— who looks at me with stars in her eyes?
What did I do to deserve this, her?
Is Riley the gift of my patience…? Because it sure feels like it.
My Goldilocks is a gift; one that I’m going to hold and protect.
I can’t let her go.
I won’t let her go.
***
“I’m home,” I announce, walking inside, only for my steps to halt when three pairs of eyes look up at me simultaneously.
Aunt Naveah and Uncle Ben are sitting side by side on the white couch. He has his hand on her thigh, their hands entwined together. They are always holding hands, whenever they are in each other's vicinity. It’s like there’s a magnetic pull between them. They have been married for more than two decades, and still are very much in love with each other. I might be skeptical about true love, but Aunt Naveah and Uncle Ben can be really convincing, without even trying that hard.
Something else worries me though…
Their expressions are pensive, and…troubled. I don’t like the look on their faces.
I especially don’t like the hard glint in Uncle Ben’s eyes. He’s a man who rarely smiles; he only ever does so at Aunt Naveah or me, sometimes. His smiles are special because they are always sincere, and his eyes never lie. After living with them for more than a year, and constantly studying their reactions, I can easily dissect their moods now.
I can tell when something is off.
And right now, I know something is seriously wrong.
Uncle Ben motions me over. “Come here, son.”
