Page 59 of Enemies to Lovers

“Regular.” He lets out a hollow laugh. “Whipped if I’m feeling adventurous.”

“Brown sugar cinnamon.” I blow a chef’s kiss. “Whipped, but regular is fine, too.”

His shoulders shake with silent amusement, and he exhales long and deep, only a slight tremble.

I set a hand on his thigh. “Better?”

“Much.” He puts his hand atop mine again, his touch less desperate but still strong and sure. “I hate tests.”

“I know.” I watch his thumb trace the veins at the top of my hand, and I turn it palm up so he can continue his path. “You’ve got this.”

He inhales deeply. “I don’t know that I do this time.”

My eyes flick up, and I wait for him to meet them. “Miles… do you know why I came by during spring break?”

He lifts a brow. I know; I’ve brought up the unspeakable—the unbelievable night we shared together, the one I dream about at night and fantasize about during the day. Even if the internship decision breaks us, I want to imagine a world that I still think of it fondly.

“Brewster was—”

“Pooping everywhere, yes.” We share a laugh at the frustration in my voice, giving our conversation a lighter tone. I playfully shove him in the thigh. “I took him to you because I trust you with my dog. I trust your knowledge, respect it, know how damn hard you work and how brilliant you are.” I wave my hand at the classroom behind my back, and his eyes drift to the door briefly. “Even if you choke in there—which you won’t, but worst-case scenario—Dr. Goff and Professor Clark have both seen what I have. You are going to be an amazing vet, Miles. That dream won’t die with one test.”

That small dimple in his cheek makes an appearance, and he leans forward. “I might want to kiss you.”

“Oh, we know neither of us have any self-control.”

He pouts, and it’s so playful and adorable, I relent and give him a peck. Even with our lips touching for less than a second, mine come back tingling, and I imagine they’ll be doing that during the entire test.

“You ready?” I ask, and he takes another deep breath and nods. My knees crack as I stand, and I wipe my butt free from the hallway dirt.

“I feel like I need to return the favor.” Miles runs a hand through his unruly hair. “Give you a good luck charm or something.”

I kink an eyebrow, hooking a thumb into the waistband of the shorts I’m donning today. I pull it down just enough for him to see the clover pattern on my underwear. “Thanks. I’m covered.”

He lets out a laugh that could cure any animal, then swings an arm around my shoulders. We head in to face this last hurdle of the semester, and I never thought I’d see the day, but we do it together.

My knee bounces as I sit on the living room couch, my laptop open in front of me. My sisters cleaned up all their crap when I told them I was expecting a video call from Dr. Goff. I’m trying not to get my hopes up; Professor Clark mentioned he calls everyone in the class after the semester, so we should take advantage and ask questions and advice.

My leg shakes the coffee table, and I set a hand on it. The reminder of Val doing that for me during the final prods into my brain, and I can’t help but smile. Most desk mates get annoyed by the constant shaking, and hell, I don’t blame them. It annoys the hell out of me.

It started its trembling on question two. By question five, Val slid her chair closer and set her strong hand on my knee. She inhaled long and slow, squeezing my knee in the same tune.

By question six, my leg stopped bouncing.

My hand isn’t nearly as calming as hers, but I inhale and exhale, grinning at the memory, holding on to it like it’s happening right now.

The front door opens, and Hunter steps in with his girlfriend, Hazel, in tow. He gives me a head nod while Hazel waves.

“Hey,” she says. “Have you heard anything yet?”

“Not yet.”

She skips around my brother, comes up behind me, and gives me a squeeze around the shoulders. “You’ve got this.” She squeezes once more, her short brown hair tickling my beard, then straightens. “You want to eat now or after?”

I follow her gaze to Hunter who holds up a bag from Noodles n’ Company. A laugh tumbles from the back of my throat. “If I eat before, it’s coming out during.”

Hunter chuckles, letting the bag drop to his side. “I’ll put it in the fridge for you. Got you the Wisconsin mac n’ cheese.”

“Thanks,” I tell his retreating back as they make their way to the kitchen. They unpack the food at the island, and Hazel pushes on her tiptoes and kisses his cheek after he says something only she can hear. He tucks an arm around her waist, holding her to him like she’s everything in his world. Having a front-row seat to their relationship, I know she is.

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