Same Time Next Year

by Tessa Bailey

“Not everyone needs a person.” He concedes this with a nod. “Maybe that’s true. But even if you’re strong alone, when someone wades into your lake and you feel something . . . if you choose to ignore it, maybe that strength is actually just something else in disguise.” “Weakness?” “Fear.”

“Well, the oldest is Chrissy. She’s a hairdresser, and she used to use me to practice her skills. You should have seen my blowout on the first day of fourth grade . . .”

How can I honestly believe this attraction doesn’t run both ways when I catch her staring at my throat so often, I would develop suspicions that she’s a vampire if we weren’t out in broad daylight?

“Sumner?” she asks, glancing back at me. “Your bad mood.” “Oh, right.” Can you not see that I’m starving to death for you? Can’t you tell I missed you so horribly that my family couldn’t even make me smile?

“Burn the magazine for all I care.” I rub my mouth in the hair above her ear, wrapping my arms around her tight. “You don’t have to stop me from looking at anyone but you, because I don’t want to look in the first place. Put parental controls on my phone, my laptop, block porn sites. Track my location. Lock my dick in a cage. I’ll do whatever it takes to make you realize I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying right here. I’ll make you feel secure until you realize it’s only ever going to be you.”

“No. I’m good, I’m good,” she pants. “And I’m on the pill.” “Me too. I mean . . . I’m good health-wise. Not on the pill.”

“You love him.” “Of course I do.” I throw up my hands. “He made me.” Bryce snorts. “What a dick.”