Page 293 of Small Town Firsts

I don’t like his name on your body.

What in the ever-loving hell?

My hands shake as I tap out a reply.

Me

Who is this?

Unknown

Who do you think it is?

I suck in air through my teeth as my vision swims.

Me

Answer my question.

Unknown

Who do you want it to be?

It feels like there’s a hummingbird trapped inside of my chest, my heart is beating so hard.

Me

This isn’t funny.

Unknown

It is a little. Come on. You know who this is...take a guess. If you’re right, I’ll give you a prize.

Me

Look, I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing. But I’m about to block your number.

Unknown

Come on, little mouse, live a little.

Oh. My. God.

Instantly, my entire body relaxes. And while that’s a concerning reaction in and of itself, I’m choosing to focus on the positives right now.

Me

Sterling.

“You got it, baby.”

My eyes fly up, and sure enough, Sterling Abbot stands before me, looking like a god.

“You really freaked me out.” I glance down at my lap, where my hands are trembling. “I–I thought it was... not many people have this number...” I trail off, unable to bring myself to say his name.

But Sterling knows exactly whose name was poised on my tongue. “Fuck,” he curses under his breath before reaching down and hauling me up from my chair and into his arms. “I’m so sorry, Emmalyn. I wasn’t thinking.”

It feels weird, him holding me like this, out in the open for all to see. But more than that, it feels... right. Like his strong arms were meant for me.

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