Page 70 of Return Policy

“Why? Weren’t you enjoying the company ofAndrea?”

“She prefers Andi.”

“Right.” She looks away from me. “And it seems like you preferAnditoo. You didn’t have to interrupt me and Theo.”

A dumbbell presses on my chest at the realization I made her unintentionally jealous.Is that why she danced with him?

“First of all, there is no ‘me and Theo.’” She smirks as I grab her chin and bring her gaze back to mine. “And Andi and I are just friends.” I rest my forehead against hers.

“With benefits?” she asks with a tight jaw.

“No benefits.” I shake my head, making sure she gets the point. “Not anymore.Justfriends.”

She stares up at me, eyes wandering all over my face before returning to mine. “Good.”

“And for the record, I preferyouover anyone.” I rub my thumb over her bottom lip. “Anyone.”

“Good,” she repeats breathlessly.

“Now will you shut your cute mouth and dance with me?” I twirl her around, and she stumbles against my chest. Her sweet laughter hits my ears just as the song switches to “Sunflower” by Post Malone. I glance up to see Theo winking at me from near the speaker.

The tranquilizer sabotage might have to wait.

Sophia looks at me with a curious gaze. “Did you pay someone to play this?”

“Lucky coincidence?” I smile down at her.

“You know what, Elijah?” she slurs before resting her head against my chest. “You’re my favorite.”

“Your favorite what?” I ask, running my fingers through her hair.

“Just my favorite.”

* * *

“Slow down, damn,” Sophia calls from behind me as we finish up our sixth mile in the perfect overcast weather for an afternoon run. Slowing my pace, I come to a complete stop as she jogs up next to me, trying to catch her breath.

“Who came in last now, baby?” I waggle my eyebrows at her.

“It’s not fair.” She gasps for air. “You were sober last night, and I’m fighting off a raging hangover.”

“Next time don’t do tequila shots with Theo.”

Seeing them dance together snapped something inside me. He’s my best friend, and I was ready to poison his morning coffee for grinding with a girl who’s not even technically mine. I’ve never felt that vindictive before. Ever.

That’s Theo’s area of expertise.

“Shit happens.” She shrugs, and I roll my eyes playfully. Sweat drips down her chest, disappearing in the valley of her breasts, and my mind wanders to all the other ways I could make that happen.

“You know, you’re trouble sometimes, Sophia Summers.”

She giggles. “You have no idea.”

The perfect overcast darkens, and small drops fall from the sky. Sophia’s head falls back, allowing the cool water to sprinkle over her. We walk down the sidewalk towards our dorms, and Sophia is still trying to catch her breath.

“Damn, girl, I thought you were a runner.”

She levels me with a single glare. “Raging. Hangover.” The sky splits open, pouring buckets of rain on us. “Great.”

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