h's

s watching me-elbows on the table, chin propped on her hand

ved your life, showed up in your living room hours later, and then had a whole one-on-one

ant. I just-he's... Josh Carter. He's Ryan's best friend. He probably won't

htfully. "But you

n protest, but n

? I didn't know h

be taking up space in my thoughts when I had a million more import

nted to k

nted to g

t, her

don't even know him.

d, grinning. "He ba

ut smiled. God, I

ight, enough emotional turmoil. Let's take a

ct. "Yeah. I think I need caffeine if I'm g

hat's the nerdy best f

vening

ications, scholarship deadlines, and never-ending exams pressed down on m

er than usual. Ryan

d pulling out a carton of juice. Just as I was pour

-and the

Car

ack t-shirt and gray sweatpants, his hair sligh

neither of us

glass. "Didn't take you f

unexpected comm

nst the counter. "Most peo

tighter. "Well, juice has v

he was holding back a

ff balance by the fact that Josh Carter was casually standing

pected, that for a moment

to be leaning against my kitchen counter, looking like he belon

to compose myself. "What about you?

. "More of a

brow. "Whiskey?

an unfamiliar warmth curling through my stomach. "I said I'm a

in my chest loosening just a little.

me. And with a little smirk playing on

ike that,

y glass, my heart doing s