Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 30514 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30514 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
He furrowed his brow as he set the book on my lap. “You really want to move up north, don’t you?”
“It’s not that. I need to see if I can make it on my own…without my parents’ help. And the only way to do that is to have a concrete plan in place so they won’t worry about me or try to change my mind.”
He didn’t say anything right away. “Hypothetically speaking, if you got the job…when would you move?”
“I don’t know. June? It seems far off, but it’s all I can think about lately. Besides you,” I admitted.
Logan’s eyes twinkled. He squeezed my knee affectionately and grinned. “Same here. You’re all I think about. But I don’t worry about the future, and I don’t make plans. I let life unfold. I wonder if I should rethink my approach. I don’t want to let a good thing pass me by.”
I was struck with a sudden fear and longing. Like if I didn’t ask for what I wanted, I might miss out too. “Sometimes, I wish I could slow time down. Just for certain moments. Like now.”
He smiled. “Damn, I want to kiss you. Get ready. I’ll probably have my tongue down your throat all night tonight. In the meantime…truth or dare?”
“Neither.”
Logan rubbed his hands gleefully. “Dare it is. I dare you to skip backward across the quad at lunchtime.”
I burst into laughter. “Not happening. I can’t skip forward without tripping over my feet.”
“Fine. I dare you to switch shirts with me.”
“And then what?”
“Nothing. It’s just a dare.”
“But you’d be really uncomfortable in this shirt,” I said, plucking a button on my oxford shirt. “It’s too small for you. And what if I spilled on yours?”
“That’s what makes it funny, goofball. Yours is too small, mine is too big. It’s hysterical. And yeah, you’re a little soda challenged, but I trust you wouldn’t ruin a retro Metallica tee. Let’s do it now.”
I set my hand on his arm to stop him before he yanked his T-shirt over his head. “Save it for later. I’ll wear your clothes if you want…or nothing at all.”
Logan widened his eyes and sighed theatrically. “Less is more. I’m just not sure how I’m going to get through the day now.”
“Me either. I’m done with class at five o’clock.”
“Okay. Text me your address. I’ll pick you up at six and we’ll go…somewhere. It’ll be a surprise. Just be ready, baby.”
I was ready with twenty minutes to spare. I played a word scramble game on my phone and scrolled through Instagram to keep myself occupied. It wasn’t long before I had serious ab envy. I was about to slip my cell into my pocket when it buzzed in my hand.
“Hi, are you here?” I asked without checking caller ID.
No response. I frowned and was about to disconnect the call when my mother said, “Edward, darling. Is that you?”
“Oh, yes. Sorry, Mom. I was expecting someone else. How are you?”
“I’m well. I was calling to check on you. Your father and I haven’t heard from you in over a week. Are you okay?”
The concern in her voice made it difficult to brush her off. I gave her a brief rundown of my classes and my insane workload. “It’s a lot, but I’m managing okay.”
She murmured sympathetically. “Balance is important, darling. Are you seeing your friends? How’s Kendra?”
My parents loved Kendra. They didn’t care that I was gay at all, but I think they secretly hoped I’d bring home the male version of my best friend one day. Of course, the only guy I was interested in was nothing like her. At all.
I glanced at my watch. Three minutes till six. “I haven’t seen her this week, but I’m sure she’s fine. Um, Mom, can I call you back? I’m supposed to go out tonight. I, uh…I have a date.”
“Oh! Who is he?”
“His name is Logan and he—”
“Where’d you meet him? Is he an engineer?”
Knock. Knock.
“We met at school, and he’s a communications major…I think. Mom, I have to go. He’s here,” I pronounced as I opened my front door.
I took a moment to admire Logan. Jeans and a plain black T-shirt looked better than a suit did on most men. With his twinkling green eyes and mischievous grin, he oozed unconscious sex appeal. I returned his smile with a megawatt one of my own, completely forgetting my mother was on the line until she spoke loud enough for Logan to hear her too.
“Oh, good. Put him on the phone,” she said.
Come again? I let out a nervous half laugh. “Um, no, Mom. We have to go. I’ll call you later and—”
“I’ll talk to her.”
I furrowed my brow and held my phone above my head when he reached for it. “No. Are you nuts?”
Logan smiled as he pulled my cell from my fingers and waltzed into my apartment. “Hello, Mrs. Bailey. I’m Logan St. James.”