Page 125 of Tormented Billionaire Romance Series

I slipped on a pair of dress shoes and rapidly tied the laces. I was practically hopping toward the door. It reminded me of when Clara had texted me in the middle of the night to pick her up from a party. I was so eager to be around her that I didn't care if it was past midnight. I didn't mind that we had school the next morning.

I just wanted to see Clara.

And now, that excitement had been renewed. I grabbed my wallet and my keys, flying from the room without putting them in my pockets. I bounced down the stairs and out the front door, brushing past my parents in favor of getting to my car as quickly as possible.

I hopped in the driver's seat and shoved the key into the ignition. I turned the key and smiled at the rear view mirror. As I adjusted the mirror, I caught my reflection again. The smile on my lips was wild. I could feel how infectious it was, how it doubled my joy just to see it.

I was warm and alive with life. I put the car into gear and peeled out of my parent's driveway, carefully making my way toward Clara's house. I smiled the entire way there.

I just couldn't wait to see her.

* * *

I smiled at Clara.She was sitting across from me wearing her favorite purple dress. I admired the curves of her shoulders and the way the halter sat on them, the color accentuating her skin. Her hair fell in ringlets around her arms, appearing as soft as it always had.

“You should share your news first.”

She shook her head while lifting her water. “No, you.”

“I've been waiting all day to hear it. Why don't you tell me?”

“You're the one who wanted to do this whole thing,” she said with a giggle. “You should do the honors. This was your idea.”

“I mean, as long as you insist.”

“The lady insists.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Ah, theladyinsists. I can't argue with that.”

“You mean you can't argue withme.”

I chuckled. “Alright, I'll go ahead. Are you sure you're ready?”

“Levon, you're killing me with this!”

“I just think it's cute how impatient you get when I'm getting ready to surprise you.”

“I hated it when you did that.”

I eyed her curiously. “Oh, really? So, no more surprises?”

“No, it's just,” she faded into a giggle as she waved away the question. “It just reminds me of that time you got me a new dress in college.”

“Do you still have that dress?”

“Unfortunately, it got torn at one point.”

“I wonder who did that.”

She rolled her eyes playfully to the ceiling. “Some silly boy I knew who was too eager to wait for the zipper to come off.”

“Wow, he sounds like a jerk. I should beat him up.”

“You should. He's nearby right now. Should I point him out?”

I chuckled. “I bet he wouldn't stand a chance against me. I can wave a bat harder than anybody.”

“Are you sure you want to damage yourself like that?”

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