Page 32 of Campus Crush

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Which meant I needed something more than coffee and proximity.

I needed a way in.

“You said she’s guarded,” Drew said thoughtfully. “What’s she into? Like…besides math and giving you disapproving looks?”

Before I could answer, Liam snapped his fingers and his eyes lit up. “You should make her something.”

I blinked. “What?”

“You know—something custom. Thoughtful. Girls eat that shit up.”

“Make her something?” I stared at him. I wasn’t exactly an arts and crafts kind of guy, but if it would sway Abby my way, I’d try anything.

“Better than your coffee stunt,” Drew said with a shrug.

“He’s not wrong,” Gordy added.

I didn’t say anything for a minute, letting the idea sink in.

It was ridiculous.

But it was also…good.

Abby definitely seemed like the type of girl who preferred handmade gifts to something flashy and expensive.

Plus, it was exactly the kind of gesture she’d never see coming. Quiet. Personal. Maybe I could even make itStardew Valleythemed and broach the topic of telling her I’m Bear.

“You’re serious? You think she’d like that?” I asked finally.

“Dead,” Liam said. “You want to win her over? Speak her language.”

“And stop being a chicken about it,” Drew added. “Give her something that says, ‘I see you,’ not just ‘I think you’re hot.’”

I grinned.

For once, their trash talk was useful. Who knew these two playboys could actually come up with something genuine and heartfelt.

“I’m gonna need art supplies,” I muttered.

“And a crafting playlist,” Gordy said solemnly, but there was a slight twinkle in his eye.

I laughed—the first real one all day.

Maybe they were onto something.

Maybe this was how I showed Abby that Foster Kane wasn’t just a walking regret from freshman year.

I could be the guy who deserved her.

TWENTY

BigBear88:

You know what happens to your crops when you don’t water them for a week?

Nothing good.

PeachyKeen:

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