Simulated Love (2024)

Chapter 12

Chase

Never in a million years did I think I would be that close to Elijah. And never in a million years did I expect to like it so much. Everything about it felt like a dream.

It started with his finger on my lips and then his look in my eyes.

He was telling me that everything was going to be okay and that I had nothing to worry about. Being with him at that moment, I felt safe.

My eyes went down to his pink full lips that were well moisturized. I could feel my body shaking as the urge to kiss him shot through my body. The way he looked down at me with his low eyes, I figured he wanted to do the same.

It would be like a scene out of his story.

Suddenly, the sound of Theodore's footsteps getting closer snapped me out of my trance, and with little thought, I walked into Elijah, who wrapped his arms around me.

He held me tight, the smell of fresh amber on his skin. With our bodies connected, I knew he could feel the intense beating of my heart.

He was to blame for that in more ways than one.

Despite the circumstances, I didn't want that moment to end, but unfortunately, it did.

Afterward, we didn't find the paper he was looking for, so we headed home. My brain couldn't stop thinking about our moment.

I hid away in my room that night and waited for Fae to be awake before I called.

"Hey, Chase."

"Fae, I need help."

"What's the matter?"

I looked at my door to make sure he wasn't there, but I remembered I had nothing to worry about. I assumed he didn't speak Thai either way.

"I think I have a crush on Elijah," I admitted.

There was a pause. "Really?" She asked, her voice in the highest pitch I had ever heard.

"Yes. Is it bad?"

"No. No. Not at all. It's normal. It's so normal. Why do you say that? What happened?"

I explained the entire closet situation to her.

"That sounds so cute," she said.

"It was." I was smiling again. "But I don't know. Do you think it's because we are working on a romantic game together that I'm falling for him?"

"No, that doesn't make sense."

"I guess. And there was another time I didn't tell you about when we were watching a movie and he fell asleep snuggled into me."

Fae screamed on the other end. I had to pull my head away.

"You're definitely in deep."

"I know. I hate it. But I like it. I like it a lot." I sighed. "But I don't think he likes me that way."

"He definitely does. It's so obvious."

"You think so?"

"I do."

"What should I do? Should I ask him out or wait for him to? This is new to me."

"Just go with the flow. Pay attention to all the little things to make sure that he feels the same way. If he gives a lot of signs, then I say ask him out if he hasn't already. Also, show him that you like him too. He's probably just as unsure as you, but if you show him, the feelings are mutual, he might ask you out first."

I smiled at the advice. It was just what I wanted to hear. "Okay. Yeah. Thank you."

There was a knock at the door.