Page 17 of Until We Meet Again

"I'm headed to the library, and then we'remeetingErik and Harry, remember?"

Nope, I totally forgot.

Erik is one of my favorite people on the planet. He stands tall, easily towering over most people, andisone of the kindest individuals I've ever met. His chiseled features and classically handsome face remind me of the typical all-American guy, like Nate Archibald fromGossip Girl, but taller and built like a fucking mountain.

"What time are we supposed to meet them?"

"Eleven-thirty, so don't be late."

I stare at her in mock surprise. "I'm never late," I say, and she raises one of those perfectly feathered eyebrows at me as she stands up from my bed and walks toward the door.

"By the way, I told them to meet us at Café Luxe," she says.

"You're shitting me."

"What? You love it there."

"Just go." She walks away laughing, closing the door behind her.

When I arrive at the coffee shop at precisely half past eleven, I see that my friends are already here and sitting at a table in the corner of the room. Erik, who's always the first to notice anything, sees me and jumps up from his seat. Before I can say anything, he draws me into a warm and tight embrace. I feelhis strong arms around me, and my senses are filled with his comforting scent.

"I swear every time you put your arms around me, they feelbigger."

"I'm trying to keep up with the guys on my team. Some of themare huge."

"Considering how skinny you were when we first met, you're looking good, dude," Harry says with a smirk.

"You were always the tall, skinny kid until you came backto school completely ripped one year," Jen adds.

"I feel like I should be offended here." Erik laughs as he settles back into his seat and adjusts his cap to sit backward on his head.

"Ignore them. Harry's just jealous because you're bigger than him now," I tell Erik, pulling a smile from him.

We return to our conversation once the server, different from the one I sawyesterday, brings us our freshly made drinks.

"Jen said that you had a date last night, Tessa." My eyes meet Jen's and widen as I turn to answer Harry.

"Did she?"

"I also said that it was to stay between us and that it wasvery fresh." She glares at Harry and nudges him in annoyance.

"After what you did to me last night, how the hell do you expect me to remember that piece of information?" Harry smirks to himself, and my mouth drops open as I laugh.

"Okay, that's understandable. You're forgiven." Jen giggles, and I feel Erik's gaze on me.

"Is he nice? The guy you went out with?" he asks.

"He seems like a good guy, but it's still early."

"So, where's Tobias? He's always lurking about somewhere." I'm grateful for Jen's sudden change of subject.

I quickly snap a photo of my apricot smoothie and send it to Zane, showing him what he's been missing out on by never having one before.

T: I haven't stopped thinking about this since we spoke about it yesterday. Looks good, right?

I put my phone in my lap, and he replies a couple of minutes later.

Z: This was the last thing on my mind after our time together yesterday, but you're right, it does look good. P.S. Are you free Wednesday night?

---