Page 143 of Return Policy

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Page 143 of Return Policy

She nods weakly. “Okay.”

“I pinky swear.” I stick out my pinky, and she smirks, hooking it with hers.

“Pinky promise.” She kisses me. “The only kinds of secrets you’re allowed to keep are the kind I unwrap with a bow.”

“Oh, really?” I run my palms down her arms, taking her hands in mine. “What makes you think I have any of those?”

“Well, itisour first Christmas next week.” She raises her eyebrows, seemingly more playful as I kiss her knuckles.

“Is it?” I tilt my head. “Well, shit, I better call Santa and tell him how naughty you’ve been this year.” I lean in, nuzzling her nose. “I love you, Sunflower.”

She melts against me. “I like you, Honey Bee.”

I swallow hard, hoping my secrets didn’t push her farther away from saying those three beautiful words too.

“Well, that’s an improvement.”

* * *

Blinking my eyes open, a slow smile spreads across my face as I take in the familiar surroundings in the warm morning light. I roll over to face Sophia, and my stomach drops as I find nothing but empty sheets.Did she leave?

I bolt out of bed, eyes darting around the room. Her bag is still sloppily in the corner.Okay, that’s a good sign.Taking quick steps to my window, I immediately spot her running along the fence line with Hazel. “Thank you, Jesus,” I mutter to myself, shoulders dropping, and a heavy breath releases from my lungs.

She pauses and pulls out her phone, snapping a picture.

A few minutes later, she trudges in my room, sweaty, with her face flushed red.

“Good run?”

She clears her throat. “Yeah.” I sit on the edge of the bed, patting my thigh, and she scrunches her nose. “I’m stinkier than your locker room at CBU.”

“I’ve literally had my face in your pussy. I can deal with a little post-run sweat.” Her lips quirk downwards into a look of disgust. “Just come here…” I pat my leg again. “Please?”

“Fine.” She sits on my thigh, throwing an arm around my neck. I hover my mouth over hers, her warm breath hitting my skin, before kissing her soft and slow. “What was that for?” she mumbles, smiling against my lips.

“I missed you this morning.”

“Sorry.” She looks down at her hands. “Just needed to clear my head.”

“I was worried.”

Her curious eyes find mine. “Why?”

“I thought you might have left.” I gnaw on my lower lip. “That you might still be upset about everything.”

“Elijah… I would never leave without telling you.”

Fear crushes my chest. “I would prefer it if you didn’t leave at all.”

“I won’t,” she assures me, but her tone is unconvincing as I grip her warm thigh. “I just needed a little me time, that’s all.”

“Please, talk to me.”

She glances down at my hand before chipping at her cherry red nail polish. “I’m just sad.”

I drag my fingers through her hair and tilt her face toward mine. “Why, baby?”

Her green eyes are glossy, and it rips my heart right out. “I just feel like you don’t trust me.”


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