Page 118 of His Reckless Freshman

He was right. They were so good.

We stayed there until closing, talking about anything and everything. He told me stories from his childhood, and I told him some from mine. Sounds like he grew up with money, but not in a really ostentatious kind of way. His parents still made him do all his chores and work for his allowance… although he got to use a riding mower.

“I’ve always wanted to try one of those.” I grinned at him, then pouted. “My dad would never let me mow the lawn. Apparently, it’s not women’s work.”

“Well, that’s a bit of bullshit right there.” Ben snagged a bite of chicken chow mein with his chopsticks. “I’ll let you ride my lawn mower anytime. I actually love cutting grass. There’s something very satisfying about seeing instant results.”

I beamed so brightly over that one, I probably lit up the whole block.

In fact, I’ve probably been powering this entire town with my sunshine energy this week. I can’t get enough of my boyfriend.

Yep, that’s right… Ben Evers is my boyfriend.

My first official one.

And I’m loving it.

Being part of a couple is the best!

He texts me during the day, we study together, we eat together, we sleep together.

I can’t do that every night, but man, do I love sleeping over.

It’s only been twice this week, but I can picture myself doing it a lot this year.

Walking back to my dorm after a blissful morning in Ben’s bed and then a delicious lunch at Eat Your Faves, I hum to myself as I swipe my card. I really didn’t want to leave him. It’s Sunday, so we could have spent the entire day together, but he promised to help one of his roommates with an assignment, and I stupidly told my cousin that I’d meet up with her after lunch to finally clear the air between us. I mean, it’s already mostly been cleared through a few texts back and forth, but that’s obviously not enough for her.

I kind of don’t want to have to face her, so I’m pretending that we didn’t have our latest texting conversation.

Maybe I’ll get lucky and she’ll forget too.

Skipping up the stairs, I tell myself off for being deceitful but then try to justify myself. Caroline will freak out if she knows Ben and I are together. It’s awkward for her, but I can’t let that dictate my life.

Ugh. I should probably just tell her and get this all over with.

But I don’t want to burst my blissful little love bubble.

Maybe I should ask Nylah to do something with me, and I can use her as an excuse for “forgetting” my catch-up with Caroline. We’ve been connecting a little more this week, although I’ve hardly been around, but the one time I did see her, we smiled and said hi. It was nice. Maybe she doesn’t have to be as intimidating as I think. Maybe we could even become friends.

I’ve never had a friend as cool as her, but… would she want to hang with me?

She said she makes a good friend. I guess that was her indicating that maybe hanging with me would be fun. But she’s only ever spent time with me in small doses. What will she think with bigger chunks? I know I can be too much for some people.

Running up the stairs, I head for our room and am surprised to find her in there. I thought she was out all afternoon.

She’s sifting through her closet, laying out different combinations, and my insides skip with glee. Oh my gosh, is she falling for someone too! We could have that in common! It’s like a way to connect.

I send up a quick thank-you prayer and skip over to her bed, checking out her selection of clothes. Turning to look at her, I put on an eyebrow wiggle and ask, “Hot date?”

She gives me a cryptic grin, holding a shirt up against her body and murmuring, “Babysitting gig.”

What?

I can’t help my confused frown, and she laughs and explains, “Said hottie just might be there, and I want to look irresistible if he happens to spot me.”

“Okay, what?” My expression buckles even more until my eyes pop wide with glee. “Wait, is this a ‘billionaire single dad who falls in love with his young babysitter’ scenario?”

“No.” She shakes her head and starts laughing again. “This isn’t a romance novel.”