Page 53 of I Wish He Would

But suddenly strong arms wrap around me, and I’m pushed back onto the bed.

“Oof.” I struggle to catch my breath as Austin lands on top of me.

He pushes up on his forearms, but our faces are still close enough that I can smell the spicy notes of his aftershave. All it would take is the smallest tilt of my head for our mouths to be a breath apart. His lips quirk up into a playful smile. “If you wanted to cuddle, you could’ve just asked.”

I breathe out a laugh as butterflies swirl in my stomach and smack his chest. “You’re crushing me.”

“That’s a funny way of saying thank you.”

I glance up at him and fling my hand to my heart exaggeratedly, hoping it’s not obvious how hard it’s pounding at his nearness. “I would’ve been a goner without you. How could I ever thank you?”

Austin raises an eyebrow, a smirk on his lips. “Oh, that’s how it’s gonna be?” He squeezes my sides. I giggle and shimmy my body, trying to get away, but his hands hold my hips firmly in place as he tickles me until I’m breathless—although, I don’t know if it’s from the tickling or simply because his hands are all over me.

“Okay, okay,” I concede. “Truce?”

His lips pull to the side as he mulls the idea over. “Fine, truce.” He pushes up off the bed, then pulls me to my feet.

I step back and gesture to the bathroom. “I need to get ready.”

“I’ll step out on the balcony to give you some privacy.”

There it is. Exhibit A for why I can’t seem to move past my feelings for him. It’s as if he can read my mind and wants to make everything easier for me. But I think it’s just who he is. A thoughtful, caring man who is doing the whole female population a disservice by putting dating on the back burner until he retires.

“Thanks.” I head into the bathroom and close the door behind me. Shoot, I was so distracted by the interaction with Austin that I didn’t grab my makeup bag or hair products. I move to open the door but stop short when I notice the countertop is littered with my things.

Did he… Did he unpack for me? I open the door a crack, making sure he’s outside before stepping out. And that’s when I see all my outfits neatly hung in the closet. My white linen shirt and pants set for the all-white BBQ tonight even looks like it’s been steamed.

I return to the bathroom and shut the door behind me, pressing my back against it. If Exhibits A through Z all around me are any indication, these next four days are either going to be the best week of my life or the sweetest torture.

Long Live Girlies Group Chat

ME

We made it safely to the resort!!!!!

SHAYNA

Yay!!!

TESS

Hope you have the best time!

MALLORY

Why so many exclamation points?

How do we know this isn’t an imposter?

KELSEY

Definitely reads a little sus.

ME

Everything’s fine!!!

KELSEY