Page 36 of Lose You Twice

“Exactly. Full of possibility.”

This time, his smile reaches his eyes.

I hate how quickly we can still do this.

The banter comes back before forgiveness. Before common sense. It fills the space because it knows where to go and comes naturally.

That should scare me. It does, but it also stirs old feelings up that I have to shove back where they belong.

My phone buzzes beside me, and I glance down, seeing an email notification.

Pacific Coast University Work-Study Office.

My stomach drops. I lock the screen before the preview fully opens.

I look back to Kai, his eyes narrow slightly, noticing the change in my demeanor.

“You okay?”

“Yep.”

His eyes narrow more. Guess his lie detector is still working in tip-top shape.

Damn it.

“It’s just school stuff,” I say.

“School stuff made you look like that?”

“Like what?”

“Like you got bad news.”

My fingers tighten around my phone. Technically, it might not be bad news. It might be useful news.

Though he might not like said useful news.

“It’s probably nothing,” I say.

Kai doesn’t answer right away. His jaw shifts, and I can see the question he wants to ask. I can also see him stop himself.

A few years ago, he would’ve asked anyway.

A few years ago, I would’ve told him.

Down the hall, Harlow’s voice saves me.

“Okay, is everyone still alive and well out here? We’re coming out now.”

She makes her way down the hall toward us, Grayson behind her, one hand at her waist, looking far too pleased with himself.

I lift a brow at my best friend, who most definitely just had a fantastic make-out session if her swollen lips are any indication. Not to mention her boyfriend’s very mussed hair.

“Were you able to ‘talk’ to Grayson about what you needed to?”

Harlow’s cheeks flush, but she smiles, leaning back against Grayson’s chest. He places a quick kiss on her hair. “That she did. May have gotten a little distracted by how beautiful she is, but we got it.”

I bring both hands to my chest dramatically. “Thank God. I was so worried.”