Page 121 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

Mom: Sorry! You know I can’t help it. To me, you’re still my little girl. Always will be. I love you, Sofia. I hope you both enjoy your night… but not TOO much. Love you. Mom. xo

I couldn’t helpbut smile. She really was one of a kind, and I loved her with all my heart.

While I waited for Cole, I grabbed my bag and unpacked my outfit for the evening. I’d just finished hanging it up, when the bathroom door opened, and Cole appeared.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

“Yup. Just my mom pulling her usual crap.”

“She only cares about you.”

“I know. You look… nice.” My throat went dry. He had changed into black dress pants and a crisp white shirt.

“Yeah, well, gotta look the part.”

Sliding off the bed, I went to him, gently knocking his hands away so I could finish buttoning his shirt. “I like it.”

“I like you.”

A wave of dizziness hit me, and my eyelids fluttered as I inhaled a sharp breath.

“Sofe?”

I waited for it to pass, then opened my eyes, smiling at him. “I’m fine.”

“You’re sure?” Concern etched into his expression.

“Yeah. I’ll go get washed up and changed.” I went to move around him, but his hand went to my hip.

“Wait.”

“Wha—”

Cole’s mouth crashed down on mine. His kiss hungry and deep, our tongues sliding together. He pulled me closer, until the soft curves of my body met the hard lines of his. I curled my fingers into the hair at the back of his neck, loving how the strands felt against my skin, needing to be closer.

“I want you, Sofe. I want you so fucking much,” he breathed.

We kissed and kissed and kissed some more.

It was perfect. Hewas perfect.

Guilt clanged through me. I tried to acknowledge it, but it was impossible.

“Sofe?” Cole pulled away, because of course he sensed it.

“I should get ready.” I pecked his cheek. “I won’t be long.”

I grabbed my bag and hurried into the bathroom before he could try to stop me.

* * *

“You’re staring again,”I teased as we followed Cole’s parents out of the car we’d taken to the university campus.

“Because you look so fucking beautiful.”

“It’s just a dress, Cole.”

The black mid-length dress hugged my curves like a second skin. It had a modest neckline, but dipped lower in the back, revealing the expanse of my spine and shoulder blades. Cole hadn’t stopped touching me there on the ride over, brushing my skin as if he couldn’t believe I was real.

---