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My stomach takes a dive off a long, steep cliff.
“Shouldn’t we set some rules, though?” I might not have the most experience when it comes to relationships, but I have enough to know it’s best to set expectations. That way if I get hurt again, I’ll have no one to blame but myself.
He lifts a shoulder. “If you want to.”
“I think it’s probably best, so we don’t set ourselves up for hurt feelings.”
“Feelings? What are those?”
With my good arm, I toss a pillow at his head, only for him to catch it with ninja-like reflexes.
“I’m willing to go along with whatever you want, but I need you to be up-front and honest with me.”
Right. Easier said than done after the last time I was vulnerable with him.
People will never learn from their mistakes if you don’t give them a chance to.
I take a deep, empowering breath. “We should keep this private.”
A dark look passes over his face. “Got it.”
“It’s not that I’m embarrassed or anything.”
“Sure.”
“I don’t want people to think…”
“That we’re together,” he finishes for me.
My eyes drop to my lap. “Our mothers would get their hopes up.”
“More than they already have?”
I grimace.
“What else?”
“We should be mutually exclusive.” The thought of himbeing with anyone else makes my stomach churn.
“We already established that I don’t like sharing.”
“Obviously, based on the way you acted like a jealous caveman around Evan, Dan, and anyone else who stared at me for longer than a few seconds.” My eye roll gets interrupted by a pillow smacking into the side of my face.
Julian laughs, only to profusely apologize after I pretend he hurt my eye.
“Ow.” I stick out my bottom lip and sniffle.
“I’m sorry.” He kisses my temple, right above my “injury,” only for me to break out into a fit of laughter.
His hand moves from cupping my cheek to wrapping itself around my neck. “You played me.”
“You have no proof.”
His fingers press into the side of my neck.
“Fine.” I crack. “I did! But it’s not my fault you’re so gullible.”
He gives my neck one last squeeze before he gives my shoulder a shove. I fall back onto the mattress with a wince.
