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Cassia sucks her bottom lip into her mouth, nodding. Realizing.
“I do stupid stuff sometimes, Cassia. You already knew that, and I wish you didn’t. I’m trying to stop. To be smarter. ButnothingI’ve ever done has been to purposefully hurt you. It wasalwaysmy messed-up way of protecting you. Not telling you about my mom made sense when you’d just found out about your parents and were dealing with that. And then everything with Sydney… It spiraled from there, and I’m so sorry about that. But I wouldnevercheat on you. That’s one thing I promise you never need to worry about.”
“I believe you.”
I exhale, the fist finally loosening. “You do?”
“I do. But I wish you’d told me about your mom. No matter what I have going on…we’re supposed to be partners. A team. I want to know that stuff, for you to share it with me. Do you wish I hadn’t told you about my parents? Just kept it to myself?”
“Of course not.”
“That’s the same way I feel. We don’t have to talk about it. But justtellme.”
“I will. I promise.”
She nods. “Okay.” Then sighs. “The longer I sit here, the later I’m going to have to stay in the library tonight.”
“Let’s go then.” I round the side of the picnic table, offering her my hand to stand from the bench.
We start walking in the direction of the library. First holding hands, swinging them between us like we’re little kids. We did this as younger versions of ourselves, before I tried to talk myself out of falling for her.
I tug her into my side, securely tucked under my arm.
I press a kiss to her hair, then whisper, “Don’t hate me, okay?”
Cassia tilts her head back so I can see her expression. I’m not expecting the amusement. I was walking on eggshells even bringing up what she said last night.
“You know,” she tells me. “No matter how hard I try to, it just never seems to stick.”
I smirk. “I’ve never seen you fail at anything. So maybe you’re not trying that hard.”
“Yeah, that’s possible.” She glances at me. “It helps that you’re hot.”
“I had no idea you were so superficial, flower.”
“Well, it’s mine to appreciate, right?” She flutters her eyelashes and I really want to kiss her.
My chest is squeezing again, but this time it’s not with fear. It’s happiness. Gratefulness. I’m so, so grateful for this girl.
“Yeah. It’s yours.”
She smiles. “I can see it, you know.”
“See what?”
“The finish line.Usat the finish line.”
I smile. “Good.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
CASSIA
My phone buzzes in my pocket as I rush across campus toward the science center, my backpack banging against my spine in uncomfortable smacks.
Another buzz. I make sure there’s nothing right in front of me I’m about to run into and then glance down at the screen.
It’s Sydney.
