Page 64 of Trust Me

Chapter 18

Oliver

Last night, I slept better than I had in a while. I might’ve been happy about it if it’d been possible to stop thinking about Dean’s sleeping face. I managed not to wake him up when I got out of bed, and I’d taken a minute to just watch him, wishing I could climb right back in beside him.

While I tried to get it out of my head, I lined up cans of beans on the shelf. Oddly, they sold pretty fast, so it felt like I was always in this spot stocking them.

Did he like beans? The thought made me wrinkle my nose. It wasn’t that I didn’t, but if someone liked them enough to mention it, there had to be something wrong with them. I definitely wouldn’t want to sleep next to that person.

I’d sleep next to Dean regardless, though.

Damnit.

Shaking my head, I focused on the beans. There was nothing sexy about those. They were just little squishy nut-like things. Wet nuts.

That wasn’t helping.

“You alright, Oli?”

A can slipped from my hand, but I managed to catch it before it hit the floor. I turned, meeting Kasey’s eyes. We’d taken a class together last year and had hit it off, often talking at length about her photography. She was also gorgeous, but she wasn’t my type. Romantically, most people weren’t.

“Hey,” I said, flashing her a smile as I held up the can. “You spooked me.”

“Looked like you needed it.”

“Hm. Maybe I did. You’ve got a good eye.”

“That’s sort of my thing.”

With a laugh, I tossed the can from one hand to the other. “Got any more insight for a poor soul like me?”

Her head cocked. “You look . . . forlorn.”

“Forlorn, eh?” I considered it for a second. I hadn’t been very social all week, and since I’d been discussing a can of beans in my head, it was possible I was sort of lonely. Dean was working late tonight, which meant the apartment would be too quiet for my tastes.

Maybe I needed to go and bug Remi.

“Could be time to get a taste of your own supply,” Kasey said. I raised a brow, which made her breathe a laugh. “Psychology. Maybe you’re burnt out. Aren’t you doing that project on mental health or something?”

“Sure am. I’ve had my fair share of therapy, but I’ll probably find someone to hang out with when I’m off in a bit.”

“Good. Maybe you can finally let me set you up with someone soon.”

I gave her a mock scowl, but I couldn’t fake it for very long. “Actually, this time I might already be smitten.”

Her mouth formed an O. “My dating life is DOA. Please spill the beans.”

I snorted a laugh. “Clever.” After setting the can down, I crossed my arms. “I probably shouldn’t even say anything about it. It’s . . . not reciprocated.”

She pouted. “That’s lame. What do you see in them?”

“I can’t really describe it. He’s gorgeous.”

“Oooh.” She got closer, wearing a playful smile. “Do I know him?”

I tutted at her as I continued stocking the shelf.

“Fine,” she grumbled. “But don’t tell me it’s just about him being hot. That shallow shit is gonna kill our generation.”