Page 8 of Fragile Hearts

I’ve never run into Owen on campus, but I know he attends the same school. In all the times Daisy and Alana have given me shit about Owen having a crush on me, they’ve mentioned me possibly running into him there.

“Last year of environmental engineering,” he says proudly, and it really is a big accomplishment, even if he’s had the support and money of his family. I would never take that away from him. I’d give anything to have a family like Owen’s.

As a kid, I’d dream about what it must be like to have two parents, and a house, and never really having to worry about anything. It felt like something that was so foreign, and more than that, having someone love me unconditionally felt even more unattainable.

But I try not to dwell on these things, choosing instead to start my life and make these things happen for me. They will happen. I have to be optimistic.

“That’s a big deal,” I say, letting out a whistle in response to Owen’s major. “Plans for when you finish?”

I guess I never expected low-key Owen, the guy with family money and a thriving business, to want to branch out on his own.

“Yeah, it’s been a lot of work, but I love it. I want to help my family with green building. My dad wants to expand Orchid Bay, and while I support that, I want it to have as little impact on the environment as possible.”

“Wow.” That’s about all I can say. He’s not only gorgeous, but he’s smart and looking to protect the islands. He’s every woman’s dream. How the hell is he still single?

And how the hell am I still managing to avoid falling for him?

I let out a yawn, exhausted from the day of moving, and it’s going to be a long night after this. I have a test tomorrow, and I need to get some studying in. Checking my watch, I notice the time, and I tell Owen that I need to head back in.

“I’ll come with you,” he says, and I shake my head.

“You don’t have to. I’m good heading back on my own. We’re just roommates, Owen. You don’t have to look after me.”

As soon as I say it, I notice the change in him, his posture shifts, his jaw tightens.

“We might just be friends and now roommates, Sloane, but I don’t want you walking back to the house alone,” he says, a possessiveness to his tone.

I laugh a little. This side of the island is as safe as it gets, avoiding the drunken tourists and the types of things that happen in the busier areas. But I don’t bother telling Owen this, seeing that he’s made up his mind as he paddles back to the shore alongside me.

I guess I’ll just need to get used to him being around.

“You wanna watch a movie or something?” I ask as we prop our boards by the side of the house and head inside.

“No, I umm, I actually need to study,” Sloane says, offering me a small smile.

“Cool, sounds good,” I reply with a nod, knowing I could probably do with finishing off an assignment that’s due next week. “I’m just gonna take a quick shower. Meet you back here,” I add, pointing to the dining room table.

Sloane’s box of books is still sitting unpacked on the table, her laptop beside them, and I already know she’s trying to think of an excuse to go study in her room rather than sit here with me.

“We can get you a desk if you really wanna study in there, but the table is much more comfortable,” I say, trying to convince her.

She smirks, glancing toward her bedroom before she turns back to me. “You know I used to always study on my bed when I lived with the girls.”

“Nah,” I say with a grin. “Beds are only good for two things, Sloane, and neither of them are studying.”

Sloane lets out a laugh, shaking her head at me. “Is that right?”

“Yep,” I say, giving her a wink, even as visions of doing either of those things—sleeping or sex, in bed with Sloane flash through my brain. “Gonna take a shower, see you back here,” I repeat, walking off before she has a chance to argue.

I’m back in the dining room before she is, and I quickly unpack her books and stuff and then plug in her laptop to charge before heading into the kitchen to grab some drinks and snacks.

When Sloane wanders out though, I can’t help but wonder if my plan to have her study out here with me isn’t going to completely backfire and bite me in the ass. Mainly because she’s walked out here dressed in a tiny pair of shorts and a fitted T-shirt that has been washed so many times it’s practically see-through.

Suddenly it’s nothing but sex in a bed with Sloane that I’m thinking of.

Swallowing hard, I take a seat on the opposite side of the table from her, the snacks between us. “All good?” I ask.

She huffs out a laugh, taking a seat across from me. “Are you kidding? That bathroom is amazing, Owen. And it’s all mine!”

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