Page 25 of Worth the Risk

My stomach rumbles, begging for food, so I get out of bed throwing on my slippers and make my way to the kitchen. I pull out some bread and pop it in the toaster, going around to sit at the barstools, when my phone buzzes.

James

I’m working Wednesday as well, I’ll see you then.

Me

See you then:)

I see the notification that I still have two unread messages, I scroll back to the front of the texting app and remember they’re from Liam. See? I’m doing a great job of putting him out of my mind.

Liam

Good Morning

Liam

When are you working this week? I can drive you home.

Me

Hi, Wednesday and Friday. You know you don't have to.

The toaster pops, I put my phone down and grab the butter, smearing it on the toast before sprinkling cinnamon and sugar over it. It’s definitely not the healthiest breakfast but it’s cheap and I love sweet breakfasts so it’ll do. While I’m munching on my toast my phone vibrates again.

Liam

I know but I want to.

Me

Okay. See you in class.

Liam

See you Monday:)

Rosie emerges from her bedroom, wearing her matching satin pink pajama set, hair in a loose bun on the top of her head. I swear this girl always looks put together even in the mornings, which she isn’t a big fan of.

“Morning Em.” She grumbles, turning on the iced coffee machine. She’ll only drink iced coffee with vanilla syrup.

“Morning Ro. How’d you sleep?” I ask between bites of my toast.

“Good, you know having a drink or two always puts me to sleep.” A breathy laugh escapes me, because that’s incredibly true. There were a few times over the years she’d have a drink to pregame going out with Garrett or other friends from her major but she’d never make it, she’d just fall asleep. “So why were you so mad at Liam last night?” She downs a glass of water before grabbing her syrup out of the cabinet.

“Ugh.” I shake my head, before burying it in my arms on the counter. “It’s embarrassing.” The words come out mumbled. Rosie plops herself in the barstool next to me, taking a bite of my toast waiting for me to continue. She left the dance floor one song before the slow one, going to the bar to grab another drink so as far as I know she’s unaware of my dance with James.

“Well, you know the song changed to a slow one and the second it did I saw Liam walking over towards James and I. James had already wrapped me up in his arms but I thought Liam was going to interrupt. I hoped he was but he started dancing with Vanessa.” I shudder at the memory. Freaking Vanessa. I didn’t even know who she was until this year but let’s say I’m not a fan.

“You really think he got up to dance with her?” Rosie gives me a pointed stare. “Emi, there’s no way. He was definitely coming to get you.”

“How do you know that?”

“Well I don’t but I’ve seen the way he looks at you Em. He’s brought you your favorite ice cream the two times he’s come over here to study or he has it waiting at his house. The man never lets you touch a door handle. He picks you up from work. He’s obsessed.”

“He probably does that for everyone.”

“Hey, I’ve been in his car a few times and he has not had a problem with my hands on door handles yet.”

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