PERCIE
What the fuck?
“He asked you out?” My voice raised. I pressed my lips into a thin line before I spoke again. “And just now you told me?”
“Yes. I mean. You ignored me, so how am I supposed to tell you when we were avoiding each other.”
“Did he insist?”
She stared at me right into my eyes. “He said just once, but I said I like someone else, and he asked who.”
I swallowed the lump forming in my throat while wishing it would be me. My heart thumped faster in anticipation.
“And?” My tongue thickened in my mouth.
“I said I like you,” she whispered shyly.
I thought my world just spun around, then abruptly stopped. Wait a sec? Did she just say she liked me?
A smile spread across my lips and slowly, deliberately formed into a wide grin. My face ached.
I squeezed her hands and caressed her knuckles. “Did you mean it, Hailey? Or you were just trying to avoid Remy?” I could clearly hear the joy in my voice.
She didn’t meet my gaze. Though she nodded, I still wanted to hear it from her. “I want to hear it, Hailey.”
She looked at me with a shrug. “It doesn’t matter now. You have already Lexie just right next door.”
“It matters to me, Lee. Like how you matter to me. And about that.”
She blinked as if she couldn’t believe what she just heard.
I moved closer to her without breaking eye contact. I cupped her face with my hands and caressed her cheeks with my thumbs. Her face was so soft and smooth. And the way she looked at me right now—with anticipation brewing in her eyes, was adorable. I wanted to crush my lips and kiss her senselessly until we were breathless.
“I like you too, Hailey. So much. I know I’m not good for you, but I will do my best to be good and be deserving of your trust, care, admiration, and your kindness,” I told her with all my heart that I’d been bottling up in my chest.
She nodded again. My heart would burst out from my chest at any moment.
“Would you go out on a date with me?”
Then the most beautiful smile spread across her face.
Her answer caught me by surprise when she also launched herself into me.
“Okay. I take that as a yes.” I laughed.
She pulled away before I could hug her back. “Sorry, got too excited.”
“It’s okay. I’d been thinking about asking you for a while now. I just don’t want you to withdraw back and not talk to me again. And I want more of that from you.” I tucked her hair behind her ear. She was so beautiful, and I didn’t deserve someone as pure-hearted as her.
“What about her?” Finally, I was hoping she would ask.
type, Lee. She likes girls, and
covering her mouth with
need to be rude to Lexie,” I
instantly turned
her sleep in my room. I’ll stay on the couch, okay?”
quirked up. “You can stay here. We’ll fit
idea how hard I had been trying to control myself when
stay on the couch
was not good at hiding her emotions. I stood up from her
sleep. I’ll go check on Lexie. Be nice
She smiled.
“Night, Lee.”
“Night.”
***
the murmur and smell of coffee. I rubbed my eyes and stretched my limbs until I remembered I was on the couch. My mind went up to the event last night. I was going on a date with Hailey. For the first time in like eternity,
find Hailey and Lexie busy preparing breakfast. Lexie was already wearing Hailey’s shirt and Pajama bottom. They were chatting, but I
ladies.” I smiled.
both speechless, just staring at me as if I was Thor visiting their kitchen. No pun
greeted
She
speechless when she
her arms around my neck, and pecked my lips. Wow! I could
track. Hailey pulled back before I could
hand to follow
us. Hailey and I chose the same spot. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, pulled her
school. When I caught Lexie glancing at us and trying to hide her smile from Hailey, I gave her
send Lexie to her apartment. I’ll be quick.” I told Hailey after our
“Sure.”
bother. I already have a ride, and it will be here soon.” Lexie had already her things
you I’m sending
lot of things to do today.” Her phone rang at
stop
cab!” she sang merrily, grabbing her
least let me send you down.”
ran away towards the door,
soon
pillow and blanket were still here. She was pretty engrossed with the book. But what I could appreciate right now was her beauty, just
drawn, and I didn’t even realize she was already
my
“For what?”
“For our date.”
Her eyes enlarged.
tell me you
didn’t change my mind. We didn’t talk