Page 95 of Class Clown

I laughed. “She’s not wrong. This might be the slowest burn in history. I mean, you were fifteen when you were first bitten by the love bug.” His teeth were white in the moonlight and I wanted to kiss him again, so I leaned forward and grazed his lips with mine. I sat up feeling light as air. “Being an older woman, I might be too mature for you to handle,” I teased.

“I’m sure we could learn a lot from each other,” he replied, caressing my kneecap with his fingers. “Based on this summer alone, it seems wise for you to be with someone who can keep up with the rate at which you get yourself into . . .situations.” His fingers did air quotes that made me laugh.

I poked one finger against his chest. “Hey now, there’s a reason for that saying ‘be careful what you wish for’. Don’t forget that I tried to keep you at arm’s length.”

“The pheromones were relentless,” he joked. Then, he grew serious and took my hand from around his shoulders to press against his chest. “I love that we’re doing this. I wasn’t sure you’d ever come around.”

“My friends basically demanded that I do after spending a few days under your spell. I really believe they’d choose you over me,” I responded with a gentle smile before growing serious myself. “I don’t know how to do a relationship where I’m not acting like a fool attempting to keep the guy interested. I’m not even sure I know who I am when I put down the sideshow antics and exist on a more peaceful plain.”

His thumb rubbed the back of my hand. “I know who you are, Bee. You don’t need to work to keep me interested.”

“Bee?”

He flashed a grin. “Yeah, because you’re like a honey bee, going around spreading happiness and making people grow in your presence.”

Happy sigh. “You have to stop saying nice things, or you’ll turn me into a real problem with out-of-control expectations.”

He grinned. “Logically it kind of works as a short version of your name too. Ru-Bee.”

I grinned back. “Thank you. That kept the swoon to a minimum.”

“Sooo . . .”

“Sooo, I hate to waste a perfectly good nickname and, yeah, I’m really glad we’re doing this too. That said, if this starts to feel off or something, please tell me. You don’t have to stay with me to keep Cole happy or whatever.”

He pressed his forehead to mine and let out a relieved breath. “This has nothing to do with Cole.”

“I expect he’ll take credit though,” I replied, my eyes closed as I inhaled his scent and went limp against him. “He’s such a pain.” He chuckled. “Do you feel taken advantage of right now?” I asked, concerned that he’d been in a vulnerable state when I’d found him. “Because I did not come out here intending to end up kissing in your lap.” I ran a light fingertip across his collarbone.

“It turns out I really enjoy being taken advantage of. Can we do it again sometime?”

I laughed. “Tomorrow work for you?”

“I’m expecting to be available most days.”

I smiled. “I’m free then too. Or at least as free as you can be when you can’t tell anyone you’re in a relationship.”

“The no fraternization rule.” He sighed. “How many more weeks of camp?” he asked.

I groaned. “Three.”

“We can lay low for three weeks.”

“Have you ever seen me lay low in any way?” I asked playfully.

He squeezed me tight. “Not exactly.”

A stirring sound in the cabin alerted us to Cole being awake, and I hurried to stand. Nico quickly followed and we stepped apart, sharing a smile before heading back inside.

Three weeks. We could totally do this.

Chapter 23

Ruby’s Truth: Telling people the truth about who you are is the kindest thing you can do.

It turns out that even after thirty-two years of living with myself, I can still take me by surprise. Normally, I have zero ability to chill. I’m not good at keeping secrets, I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I happily advertise every little bump and celebration that occurs in my life. This was a truth that was fundamental to who I was.

Until Nico.

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