Page 8 of Return Policy

I’m honest about it, and the girls on campus are perfectly content with any sliver of attention the second-string quarterback throws their way.

Screw you, Noah, for being so damn good my ass is basically glued to the bench.

A tiny ladybug flies in front of me, landing on my knee closest to Sophia. She immediately reaches out her hand, just barely resting it on my leg, and a breath catches in my throat. The little bug crawls onto her finger, and she brings it in front of her face, smiling. “Did you know ladybugs are considered good luck?”

“Oh, really?”

“Yep.” She laughs, the sweet sound surrounding me completely. “Some people even believe if a ladybug lands on you, the number of spots predict how many years of good luck you’ll have.”

“And how many spots does my ladybug have?”

She examines it, brows pulling together. “I don’t know. There’s kind of too many to count.”

“Guess I’m just a lucky guy.” I let out a deep, low laugh, and she grins at me, rolling her eyes.

“Maybe it’s just too dark.” She frowns as the ladybug flies off her finger.

“Yeah, that’s it.” I nudge her with my shoulder, and she lets her head fall against me. I take a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air mixed with her floral scent.

“Chloe called me Ladybug,” she says quietly. My hands ache to reach out and comfort her, but I keep them firmly in my lap.

“That’s sweet.”

“Yeah.” She exhales heavily, checking the time on her phone. “My friends are probably wondering where I am.”

“Oh… yeah,” I reply, when I really want to say,Who cares?

Her golden hair is splayed across my shoulder, and everything about her makes me want to learn more. I want to see her tomorrow, and I’m pretty sure if I did, I’d want to see her the day after that.

Who the fuck am I?

“Are you coming to the party?” she asks, removing her head and staring up at me with soft green eyes that remind me of early spring.

“I don’t think I’m in the party mood after all…”

I choose not to mention I didn’t realize it was a bunch of barely graduated high schoolers, which is just not my speed. In fact, I was halfway back to the car when I saw a bombshell blonde walking alone through the woods.What possessed me to follow her?I’m not entirely sure, but the Southern gentleman in me claims he wanted to make sure the girl was safe getting wherever she was going. The honest part of me was hoping she’d notice me and I could strike up a conversation. Guess I got my wish.

“Oh… okay.” She frowns.

“But I’ll walk you,” I offer, pleased with her disappointment. “You know… so a Ted Bundy copycat doesn’t get you.” I wink, and her soft, bubbling laugh rattles all the way to my bones.

“I’d like that.” She gathers her things and throws the backpack over her shoulder.

We arrive at the end of the pathway to the springs, and Sophia stops, turning to face me.

“Thanks… for walking me.” She fights a smile, placing her warm palm on my arm and giving it a squeeze. “Even if it was only to protect me from a potential serial killer.”

A wide grin spreads across my face. “Anytime, Sunflower.”

Standing on her tiptoes, she kisses my cheek, letting out a warm breath before pulling away. I fight every urge to close the inches between us and taste her whiskey lips.

“What the fuck, Joey?” a girl with light purple hair shouts, running up to us.Joey?“We’ve been looking for you everywhere.” She eyes me up and down like I’m a beefy bean burrito, then returns her attention to Sophia. “Let’s go for a dip.”

“What?” Sophia shakes her head. “We don’t even have suits with us.”

“Who cares,” the girl says. “Come on!”

She doesn’t even wait for Sophia to respond before tugging her toward the water. Sophia glances back over her shoulder with a sad smile, and I ignore the pang in my chest as she’s literally dragged away from me.

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