Because it felt like we were in our own little world. And in that world, we were more than friends. She was mine. We were a couple. In love. She saw me the way I saw her. Looked at me the way Lo looks at Finn. Kendall looks at Declan.
With trust and love.
Scrubbing my hands down my face, I check to make sure my alarm is set for tomorrow and find a waiting message from Piper. She sent it over an hour ago.
PIPER: Thank you again for all your help tonight. I'll see you tomorrow, and we can make a plan for tutoring.
Do I text her back tonight? She's probably asleep. I don't want to wake her up. But my fingers are already tapping the screen before I can stop myself.
ME: You did great. You should be proud. I'm sure your thesis is going to be amazing, and I'm happy to help any way I can. Tomorrow's shift should be shorter than tonight. Why don't we grab a drink after, and we can talk about tutoring.
To my surprise, she replies right away.
PIPER: I'm not 21 yet. Are we even allowed to drink together if you're my boss?
ME: Food then. We were friends first, so I think it's fine. Plus, I'll just fire you if you don't go with me.
PIPER: You would fire your tutor?
ME: That would be a huge mistake, so just agree to go for a drink with me, and we won't have to find out.
PIPER: Fine.
PIPER: Bring your book.
What kind of guy brings a book on a date? Oh, yeah. The one who isn't actually going on a date. The one who is meeting his tutor to discuss class.
Me, that's who.
ME: Deal. Night, pretty girl.
I didn't mean to type it. I certainly didn't mean to send it to her. I've called herpretty girla handful of times to her face. Always on accident. I mainly use the nickname when I think about her.
Because that's who she is to me. My pretty girl. The emphasis being onmy.
PIPER: Good night, Julian.
Did she just draw the line deeper in the sand? I feel like she did.
Only tomorrow will tell. Until then, I plan to stay positive about the direction this is all headed. Because before it's over, I plan to change Piper's mind about being friends.
I'm tired of lying to myself. I want to take a chance with her. To tell her how I feel. To devour her lips and feel her skin beneath my fingers.
I want to break every promise I made to her tonight.
Over and over again.
While she screams my name.
If she'll let me.