Page 32 of Wicked Little Promise

Because it felt like we were in our own little world. And in that world, we were more than friends. She was mine. We were a couple. In love. She saw me the way I saw her. Looked at me the way Lo looks at Finn. Kendall looks at Declan.

With trust and love.

Scrubbing my hands down my face, I check to make sure my alarm is set for tomorrow and find a waiting message from Piper. She sent it over an hour ago.

PIPER: Thank you again for all your help tonight. I'll see you tomorrow, and we can make a plan for tutoring.

Do I text her back tonight? She's probably asleep. I don't want to wake her up. But my fingers are already tapping the screen before I can stop myself.

ME: You did great. You should be proud. I'm sure your thesis is going to be amazing, and I'm happy to help any way I can. Tomorrow's shift should be shorter than tonight. Why don't we grab a drink after, and we can talk about tutoring.

To my surprise, she replies right away.

PIPER: I'm not 21 yet. Are we even allowed to drink together if you're my boss?

ME: Food then. We were friends first, so I think it's fine. Plus, I'll just fire you if you don't go with me.

PIPER: You would fire your tutor?

ME: That would be a huge mistake, so just agree to go for a drink with me, and we won't have to find out.

PIPER: Fine.

PIPER: Bring your book.

What kind of guy brings a book on a date? Oh, yeah. The one who isn't actually going on a date. The one who is meeting his tutor to discuss class.

Me, that's who.

ME: Deal. Night, pretty girl.

I didn't mean to type it. I certainly didn't mean to send it to her. I've called herpretty girla handful of times to her face. Always on accident. I mainly use the nickname when I think about her.

Because that's who she is to me. My pretty girl. The emphasis being onmy.

PIPER: Good night, Julian.

Did she just draw the line deeper in the sand? I feel like she did.

Only tomorrow will tell. Until then, I plan to stay positive about the direction this is all headed. Because before it's over, I plan to change Piper's mind about being friends.

I'm tired of lying to myself. I want to take a chance with her. To tell her how I feel. To devour her lips and feel her skin beneath my fingers.

I want to break every promise I made to her tonight.

Over and over again.

While she screams my name.

If she'll let me.