to live for the hope of it all.

Chapter 85

August 20th, 2024

"And I could see you,
Being my addiction..."

Beckett

My mind was reeling as I walked over to Bailey's house. I couldn't get the image of her in that dress out of my head.

And don't even get me started on the soft smile hidden behind her waves of hair that fell over her shoulders. I'd literally had to stand up straight from the couch and put my hands over my head just to breathe.

Because part of me still couldn't believe that I was dating the girl I'd pined after for so long, the girl I think I'd always pine after. Even though she was, and has been my girlfriend for 6 months now.

So yeah, I don't think I'll ever be able to fully catch my breath around her. Or even my thought process. Definitely not my thought process.

Because as soon as Bailey opened her front door, I pressed my lips to hers urgently. She stumbled back a little in surprise, but then her hands found my cheeks before pulling my face closer to hers. My own hands gripped at her waist as she arched into me, and my mouth pressed more firmly into hers.

God, how does she always taste so good?

"Jeez, okay, okay," a voice said. "I got it, I got it. I'm going, you kids have fun."

Who is that?

"Beckett," Bailey whispered, pulling back softly. I wasn't having it though, and my lips found hers again. She laughed against my mouth, and damn if it didn't give me that rush of adrenaline I love.

"Just uh," she said again, pressing her hands to my chest. I grinned stupidly at her, trying to catch my breath as I watched her cheeks flush before looking over my shoulder. "Where are you going, Wren?"

Oh, it was Wren.

Duh, dumbass.

Who else would it be?

"Caleb is gonna take me to the store for more boxes," Wren laughed, pointing back and forth between Bailey and I. "Maybe I'll make him take me for food too, anything to stay far away from here. Catch y'all later."

As soon as the door was shut, I went to press my lips back to Bailey's, but she ducked her head into my chest with a laugh.

"Your timing is awful," she sighed, but the smile on her face told me she was far from annoyed. "And we haven't even made it to the dorms yet."

"What?" I asked dumbly.

Don't look at her lips.

Look at her eyes.

Oh god, so blue.

"Nothing," she blushed, clearing her throat. "Just Wren teasing. Nothing new."

Teasing about what?

"Hi," Bailey grinned, pressing a light kiss to my jawline. And yeah, there was no way she couldn't feel how fast my heart was beating from where her hand rested on my chest.

"Hi," I smiled, cringing as I realized I'd been too focused on kissing her rather than actually saying hello. "Sorry about that."

"You're not allowed to say those three words to me," she said firmly, and her lips thinned as she traced over my face. "I didn't like them the first time, and I don't like them now."

What?

Three words?

I love you.