Page 34 of The Road Less Traveled By

I groan as I stand up and head for my shower, but not before one of the magazines Nico brought catches my eye. It’s a picture from that first outing; Alex is gazing at Bree from across the table, looking completely enamored with her as she laughs at something he said.

The words across the picture are what make me pause.

The headline reads, “New hot couple alert! But how does Lily feel about her long-time beau moving on so quickly?”

God, I don't have the energy for this. I knew the media attention would be bad, but I don't understand why people are so obsessed with celebrity relationships. I don't get the appeal ofit, but I guess some people prefer to live vicariously through parasocial relationships rather than actually live their own life.

The next headline reads, “Bree Hart and how she can’t find the love she reads about, but maybe Alex is the one!”

Jesus Christ.What the fuck even is this? I rip the magazine in half and throw it in my garbage can. This shit is so fucking ridiculous. I can’t stand it.

I turn my shower onto the hottest setting it can go, and as I step into it, I hope it will burn away any remnants of the rage I feel.

But as I turn the shower off thirty minutes later, I know it didn't work.

I sigh again as I close the door to my bathroom, towel around my waist, but stop in my tracks when I see blonde hair turn around and meet my gaze.

Her eyes bug out of her head as she notices I’m practically naked. Her eyes roam down my body, stopping for a beat longer than they should on the area my towel covers before she meets my eyes again.

“I’m sorry, I—”

“Did you need something?”

She clears her throat before answering. “Sorry, uh,” her gaze is shooting all over the place, “Nico texted me. He told me he left something for me in here, and I was trying to find it before you got out.”

“Nico texted you?”That sly motherfucker.

“Yeah, he told me he left a book in here that he thought I would like.”Of course he did.“I-I can leave. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, Bree. Just give me a minute.”

“I’ll just be in the hallway, then.” I see her swipe her tongue across her bottom lip before she turns and leaves my room.

I grab my phone, ready to call Nico and give him an earful, before I see a message from him.

Nico: Check.

Nico: Your move, Vinny.

Nico: ;)

I swipe my hand down my face, pissed off that this was clearly a calculated situation by him. I throw some clothes on, not before I remember Bree’s eyes swiping over my body when I was half-naked in front of her moments ago.Was she turned on?There’s no way. She wouldneverlook at me that way, so I must be imagining things. Plus, that’s a line I’d never cross, especially with her. She deserves more than me.

I look around my room, and when I see the book Nico placed on my bedside table, I grab it before I open my door. Only Bree must’ve been leaning against it because she falls right into my arms before she can hit the floor.

The moment her skin touches my hands, my fingers feel like they’re buzzing. “Are you okay?”

Her breath hitches as she looks up at me. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

I lift her up, my hands lingering around her waist for a second too long before we break apart. “Here’s the book.”

She grabs it from me, holding onto it with both hands as if it’s a shield. I sweep my gaze over her outfit because it looks like she’s going out. I don't remember anything being on the schedule for today. Her black skirt is swallowed up by a long and flowy…blouse? I don't even know what to call it, but it’s white and the sleeves are huge. Her black boots go up to her knees, and when she walked out of my room, she had a big black bow in her hair.

Bree looks magnificent, and the smile that graces her lips makes her look even more radiant.

“Uh, Vince?”

“Yes?”

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