Page 52 of I'm Not in Love (I Promise)

Julie’s eyes flutter upward as I feel a strong pair of arms encircle my shoulders, pulling me into a hug. “Ready for lunch?”

His voice wraps around me like a comforting blanket and I turn to give him a kiss. “Yeah, and coffee. An extra large.”

Julie clears her throat. “Hi, I don’t think we’ve met.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I’m being rude.” Gesturing to Damon, I say, “Julie, this is Damon. Damon, Julie.”

“Her boyfriend,” he says and holds out his hand.

Julie looks like she’s about to fall over but she takes his hand and shakes politely. “Let’s catch up soon, Blake. Good luck with the assignment.”

Damon whispers in my ear as we watch her walk away. “You’re welcome.”

“That’s mean. She’s not that bad.” If she’d give up on all the Ethan gossip, maybe we could actually be friends. He twists me around so I’m staring up at his arrogant smirk. “What?”

“It’s not mean. She’s not good enough for you. I know her type. She’s all about what she can get out of you. Gossip, notes, social cred. Better to let her down easy.”

If my eyes roll back any farther they might get stuck. “If it were up to you I’d have no friends.”

He dips his head so our brows touch and plants a kiss to the tip of my nose. “You don’t need friends when you have me.”

Shaking my head, I pull away and walk a few paces ahead of him toward the campus coffee shop. He catches up easily and snags my hand, pulling me against his chest. “You’re the absolute worst and I’m hungry and grumpy and I need caffeine and?—”

He stops my rant with a kiss. “What I meant to say was you have me and the guys now. But of course you need friends. Just not toxic, fake, gossip queens.”

It kills me to admit it, but he’s not wrong. “Lucky for me, my number one bestie is coming to visit for my birthday.” As the words leave my lips I realize the problem. “Shoot. Falin’s coming and she’s supposed to stay with me.”

“We have plenty of room. She can stay with us.” He’s so nonchalant, like me asking my best friend to stay in an apartment with three random guys is no issue at all. Then I realize this is Falin I’m talking about. She’ll probably love the idea.

“I haven’t told her about you,” I admit. “She’s been traveling a lot and we don’t get much time to catch up. That’s what her visit is for.”

We stop outside the crowded cafe, where the smell of coffee instantly perks my mood. Damon’s lips curve in a smirk. “What are you going to say about me?”

I tug on his hand and twist one of his rings. “Oh, I don’t know. That you’re just this weird guy who won’t leave me alone.”

“Oh, really?” he asks. “How weird are we talking? Because, Angel, you haven’t seen me go full freak yet.”

“I don’t think I can handle whateverthatis.” We move up in line, getting closer to the counter. The mouthwatering smells make my stomach rumble.

“I noticed you didn’t correct me earlier when I introduced myself as your boyfriend.” He raises a brow and wraps his arm around my waist. I’m speechless for a second. I can’t even remember registering those words out of his lips. “I guess I’m more than just some weird guy, huh?”

“I—uh,” I stammer.

“Wish I’d said I’m your future husband.” He taps his temple and adds, “Won’t make that mistake again.”

Not long ago, I would have been surprised and maybe even laughed in his face. But now, I just shake my head and pull him along to the front of the counter where I let him pay for my lunch. He’s on another level in the land of delusion but I’m too happy right now to knock him down.

It’safter nine at night and I’m trying to study, but even with Damon’s bedroom door closed and my AirPods in, I can hear the three of them bickering. As I pause my playlist, classical versionsof my favorite rock songs, I overhear one of them suggest a fight club night.

I can’t deal.

I never thought I’d miss that old, lonely house, but right now, I’d take that over this chaos, no questions asked. I pick up my phone and text Brennan. When I first left the house, I’d sent him a quick text explaining that I’d be staying with some fellow students while we worked on a big research paper. It was the first thing I could think of in the moment. He replied with a quick, “okay” and “talk soon.”

That boss of his is working him to the bone. Since his response came days ago, I figure I’ll try again. Might as well while Damon is occupied.

Me: Heyyy, miss you! Just checking in. I forgot to mention, I haven’t seen Mischa around. Everything okay with you guys? Anyway, call me when you can.

He usually doesn’t stay out of the country this long. I can’t help but worry.

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