God, I miss her. Is it possible to miss someone this much? Because I do. I don’t care what we do—I just want her here. Beside me. Kissing me. Touching me. Talking to me.
Just here.
She stretches her arms above her head, her tank top riding up slightly, revealing a sliver of smooth skin. And fuck, it doesn’t help. I’m already craving her, and now all I can do is stare like an idiot and imagine what it’d be like if she were in my bed instead of on my screen.
“I swear, if I have to write one more paper on sports analytics, my brain is going to shut down.”
I chuckle, leaning back against my pillows, trying to act casual while every part of me wants to reach through the screen and pull her into me. “Didn’t you choose to be a sports major?”
She groans, rolling onto her stomach and burying her face in the pillow. “Don’t remind me. I have a paper due tomorrow, and I should be working on it instead of talking to you.”
I hate how much I don’t like that answer. I’m not the kind of guy who sits on calls. I don’t do long convos or late-night talking—never have. Usually, I’m counting down the seconds until I can hang up.
But with her? I don’t want this to end. I don’t want the screen to go dark.
I shouldn’t feel this way. I don’t get attached. I don’t get needy.
But then again, no one’s ever been Isabella.
“Lay it on me,” I say, nodding toward the screen. “Tell me what you need help with, baby.”
Her lips curve into the prettiest, softest smile. “Won’t you get bored?”
I let out a scoff. “You could read the dictionary out loud and I’d still be hanging onto every word.”
She chuckles, cheeks pink, and I don’t even think she realizes she’s blushing. “You’re such a sap.”
I shoot her a lazy grin. “And you’d rather talk to me.”
“Not even close.”
I laugh, scrubbing a hand through my hair. “Don’t lie to me. Just admit it. I’m way more interesting than your assignment.”
She sighs, fighting a smirk as she swings an arm over her face. “Fine. Maybe.”
“There it is.” I lean back, hands laced behind my head. “That’s all I needed to hear, gorgeous.”
She peeks at me from under her arm, a small smile tugging at her lips. Then something shifts in her expression. Her smile drops and she lets out a low sigh, shaking her head.
“I just… I want to walk into a room and have people know I earned my place there.”
“You will,” I say, with no hesitation. “I don’t have an ounce of doubt in you.”
Her gaze flicks to mine, a little uncertain. “You really think so?”
Of course you can, Bels. You’re basically a pro already. Smart, confident, and you handle cocky athletes like it’s nothing, even the giant pain-in-the-ass kind.”
She lets out a chuckle. “Like you?”
I smirk, shooting her a wink. “Exactly like me.”
She goes quiet for a beat, then says, soft and a little shy, “Thank you.”
I exhale, head tipping back against the wall, a grin tugging at my lips. “Anytime, baby.”
Her cheeks flush, and she tries to hide it with a sigh. “Okay, seriously. I need to go.”
“Tragic,” I say, dramatically clutching my chest. “Abandoning me in my time of need.”
