“I know.” He kisses it again. “I just know what I want. I’m gonna put a ring on this finger someday, Freckles.”
My heart thuds against my chest. I try to laugh it off. “Okay, you’re officially drunk.”
He holds my eyes, shaking his head. “I’m serious.”
I swallow, my cheeks still burning, and turn toward him, half-hoping someone will change the subject before my brain explodes.
Logan groans loudly, running a hand through his hair. “Anyone want a beer? I’m heading to the bar. Definitely need something stronger if I’m gonna survive this love fest.”
Nathan looks up from his phone, lifting an eyebrow. “You’ve had three already.”
Logan smirks, a mischievous glint in his eye. “You watching me, Hayes? That’s cute.” He flashes a grin and saunters off toward the bar.
Nathan’s cheeks flush just the slightest bit, caught off guard. I notice it out of the corner of my eye, but I look away fast—not my business.
Austin’s hand settles lightly under my chin. He tilts my face up, eyes searching mine.
“You okay, baby?” he asks.
I nod, feeling my lips curl into a smile. “Yeah,” I say. “I’m just… happy. I never had this before.”
He furrows his brows. “What?”
I shrug, my heart still thumping. “This. Friends. A group.” I swallow hard, keeping my eyes locked on his. “A person.”
He doesn’t laugh or make a joke like I expect. Instead, his lips brush against my temple. “You’ve got all of it now.” His eyes soften and a beautiful smile spreads across his face. “You’ve gotme.” He scoffs out a laugh, shaking his head. “Thank fuck I failed that anatomy test.”
I let out a laugh. “You’re literally the first person to ever say that.”
He turns toward me, arching a brow. “I mean it. If I hadn’t bombed that class, I wouldn’t have gotten suspended. Wouldn’t have needed a tutor. Wouldn’t have met you.”
My eyes drop to our hands, tangled together on the table, his big, warm fingers wrapped over mine. “I think we would’ve met anyway,” I say. “Especially since we were already speaking online as Cherry and Six.”
He tilts his head. “You know what? You’re right. We were meant to meet someday. It was fate.”
I shoot him a look, pressing my lips together to keep from laughing. “Austin Rhodes believes in fate?”
“Only when it comes to you.”
I laugh, shaking my head. I never thought Austin Rhodes would say things like this to me. “I was terrified to meet you in person,” I admit. “I thought maybe you’d built me up into someone else, and if we finally met in person, you’d take one look at me and our conversations would stop.”
His hand cups my chin and he turns my face to his, eyes locked on mine. “Hey. Don’t say that.”
I swallow hard, whispering, “I just… I know I’m not?—”
“You’re gorgeous,” he interrupts, voice low but sure. “You’re smart as hell. You’re the only reason I didn’t flunk out of school and the only reason your bedroom wall needs plastering.”
I groan, burying my face in his neck, the memory flashing through me of the headboard slamming against the wall when he lost control. “I still haven’t recovered.”
He chuckles against my skin. “I have. And also, I’d like to schedule a repeat performance, maybe next weekend?”
I smack his arm playfully. He catches my hand, brings it up, and kisses my knuckles gently. It’s such a small thing, but it sends this warm rush straight to my chest.
He leans in close, his breath brushing my ear. “I love you, Cherry.”
I smile, remembering all the nights I stared at a glowing screen, wondering who he really was. Wondering if we’d ever meet. I used to reread his messages and try to imagine his voice, try to picture the stranger on the other side.
And now he’s here. Real. Mine.
