Page 66 of Press Play

“Perfect!” Mia leaps off the bed and pulls on my hand. “I have the perfect outfit in mind.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Theo

2014— Sophomore Year of College

The courtyard isalive with the hum of student chatter and the distant sound of music from someone’s portable speaker. Sunlight filters through the canopy of littleleaf linden trees, casting dappled shadows on the cobblestone path where Wren and I walk. My hand brushes against hers, and the contact makes my stomach flip.

“I can’t believe you want to do this,” I say as we stroll through the university’s courtyard.

“Why wouldn’t I?” Wren asks, her wavy locks bouncing as we walk.

“They’re just guys.”

“Yes, but they’re your friends, and as your best friend, they have to pass my test.”

“Since when do you have a test?” This girl, even when she doesn’t aim to bring a smile to my face, she does.

“Since you moved on campus and left me to fend for myself.” Bumping into my arm, she smirks at me. “I’m just teasing, don’t give me that look.”

I glance at her, taking in the curve of her jaw and how her eyelashes cast delicate shadows on her cheeks. My crush is back, and damn, how am I not supposed to tell her how every moment with her makes my heart race and my world brighter.

“I’m not giving you a look,” I respond, my tone low.

“Yes, you are. Your worry spot is wrinkled.”

“Worry spot?” I ask with a laugh, coming to a stop.

Lifting her hand, She presses the pad of her finger to the spot between my eyebrows. “This spot.”

Despite the warm air, my cheeks heat with her touch.

Wren looks up at me, gently massaging the spot that was indeed tense before.

Before I give in to temptation, I step back and start down the path again.

“Mark is a cool guy; you’ll like him. Stay away from Henry and Oliver. They mean well, but they can be dicks.”

“Oh, okay.”

And if I wasn’t so focused on suppressing my feelings, I would have acknowledged how her tone changed.

We walk into Lucky 3, the college bar that doubles as the heart of our campus nightlife, and the familiar scent of spilled beer hits me, along with a wave of nerves. The low hum of chatter and laughter is broken intermittently by clinking glasses and the occasional cheer from the dartboard and pool area.

I wouldn’t necessarily call Mark, Henry, and Oliver my friends. If anything, we’re colleagues. Addie introduced us, and after she and I split, they were there for me. We don’t talk unless we need filming or editing tips, but I would be lying if I said they weren’t there when I needed someone to lean on.

“Are you sure about this?” I ask Wren, scanning the room like an FBI agent counting the number of exits.

“Positive.” She speaks over the crowd.

Glancing down at her, a lump forms in my throat. While I don’t mind stealing a glimpse or two of Wren’s amazing cleavage, I don’t want anyone else ogling her.

“Hey, Theo! Over here!” Oliver calls out, but before Wren can approach them, I grab her wrist to stop her.

“Do me a favor?” I ask while unzipping my hoodie. “Can you put this on?”

“What? Why?” she asks, bewildered, as I place it around her shoulders.

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