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Kindle Notes & Highlights
by
Lisina Coney
Read between
September 24 - September 24, 2024
“Smart-ass.” “I thought I was a criminal?” “You’re both.”
The heat of his body behind mine seeps into my bones. With his arm above my head, cocooning me between his massive body and the door, my heart leaps with surprise and excitement. His eyes resemble a raging storm when I glance back at him. His jaw ticks, and suddenly there’s not enough air in this house for me to breathe normally.
“I don’t know what I would’ve done without you,”
“Thank you, Lila. For everything.” “It was nothing.” Why am I whispering? “Do you want me to watch her tomorrow?” His nod is small, unsure. “Please.” “Okay.”
“I’m not mad at you, little sunshine,” he reassures me. “Just worried. I don’t want you to get into trouble.”
Lila, we need to talk. ASAP. I’m serious. He’s going to sue me. There’s no way he isn’t.
“Oliver texted me. My ex.” My body freezes. Her ex. The fucker who cheated on her.
“I grew up in a loving family—you know my parents. We lived comfortably and had access to healthcare, education, and everything else. Most kids who need counseling don’t grow up with such luxuries. I might be good at counseling, but I feel like I don’t have what it takes to truly help them because, no matter how much empathy I have, I don’t know what it’s like to be in their shoes. “And then what happened with my ex. I should’ve handled things differently, like the adult I’m supposed to be. But I lost my mind instead, and I can’t move on from it no matter how much time has passed. I’m consumed
...more
in me because the Lila from two years ago would’ve never done any of this. I don’t… I don’t know who I am anymore, and it scares me. Why am I getting all these great opportunities in life when I’m such a mess?”
“You’re missing a key aspect here, Lila—your past decisions and mistakes don’t define you. Not when you learn from them.”
You’re a joy to everyone around you. No matter who you’re dealing with, you always offer them kindness and patience. Offer us. You weren’t talking to a wall that day at my office after Cameron and Sean’s fight. I was here, listening to every word. Using them to stay afloat during a difficult moment because that’s what you do, Lila. You make everything better just by being you.”
“Do you really mean that?” she whispers. “Every word.”
“This may be totally inappropriate, but I really want to give you a hug.” I don’t think about it before I nod.
desks. I don’t get the chance to stand from my chair before her body crashes into mine, her arms wrapping around my neck in a sealing hug that allows me to really breathe for the first time in my goddamn life.
Having her in my arms is worth every risk. When she pulls away—too soon—the softness in her beautiful face as she looks at me kills me.
😭❤⭐
“Who keeps you calm, Reed?” You, angel. You keep me calm.
I don’t think I’m making a huge mistake as one of my hands travels the length of her spine, earning me a delicious shiver.
would be like to have her on my lap, with her legs wrapped around my hips, and show her how crazy she makes me feel. For once, crossing the forbidden line between us doesn’t sound like a bad idea at all. It sounds like fate. And I suspect she feels it, too, when her thumb starts caressing the bare skin on my neck. When those soft lips part and her breath quickens. I need her. An...
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“Do you feel this too?” she asks, her voice charged with heat. “This pull between us?” Fuck yes. “We shouldn’t,” I rasp out. “I’m your supervisor.”
groan at the feather-like touch when she pulls away. She’s teasing me, and I’m only too happy to play the game. My hands tighten on her body, the situation behind my zipper growing with every second.
I’m about to pull her into my lap when a knock on my
but I can’t focus for shit. Not when Lila and I have just crossed a line we’ll never come back from. And the worst part? I can’t bring myself to regret it.
“Anything you need?” “I think Lili is sick.” Lili. That’s what he calls Lila.
Even from a distance, I can see the dark circles under her eyes. “Thanks for telling me, Ike. Do you need anything?” He shakes his head with vigor. “No, just wanted to tell you about Lili.”
“What…? Oh.” A pause. “You didn’t have to, but thank you. I’m actually kind of hungry.” “Aww.”
“That’s sweet that you got her a snack. She will never admit it, but she’s acting kinda grouchy today.”
“I’m not grouchy,” Lila retorts as she opens the bag and plops a ...
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“Told you.” “I’m not grouchy,” she repeats, not sounding the least bit convincing. “I’m acting normal.”
“You normally smile a lot and tease me about being glued to my phone all day. You haven’t mentioned it once today. So, yes, you’re grouchy. But it’s okay—we love you anyway.”
“Why? Did someone say something to you?” I can’t read the expression on her face. “It’s fine.”
“She’s been looking at her phone all afternoon,” Melody chips in. “And every time she does, she gets even grouchier.” “Melody!” Lila flushes.
Is her ex bothering her again? Maybe they got back together?
“He looks worried, Li. I’m just try...
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“I appreciate it, but it’s fine. Really. Ever...
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“Let’s talk in my office,” I suggest. Melody groans. “But we want the gossip.” “There’s no gossip,” I tell the girls. “I need to talk to Lila about her internship.” “Boring.”
“I still think it’s not a good idea.” “I don’t remember asking for your opinion, Dr. Abner.” Dr. Abner. So that’s how she wants to go about this. Very well. “Watch your tone around me, Miss Callaghan,”
“I’m still your supervisor for another two weeks.”
“I might need a refresher,”
“I don’t remember ‘giving unsolicited
opinions about a student’s love life’ being part of your tasks as my supervisor, but maybe I’m wrong.” “Indeed, you are wrong. It was in the first section of...
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“If you don’t need anything else, Dr. Abner, I’d like to go b...
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Because I’m falling for her. For her mind, her heart, her laugh, her touch—all of her. And it will only end in heartbreak.
❤⭐
“You know, I always found it funny how you never had enough money to pay me back for rent, but somehow your weed stash was always full. Makes you think.” “I don’t want to start a fight, Lila.”
“Look, I know what I did wasn’t okay. I’m just saying the tire thing was a low blow, not to mention the fish in my underwear drawer.” “Did you ask me to come just so you could make me feel bad about something that happened almost a year ago? Something I apologized for?”
“It’s good that you’re apologizing for what you did, but it was a big deal to me. You betrayed my trust. And, even after so many months, it doesn’t look like you understand the gravity of what you did.” “Babe, just hear me out—” “Don’t call me that,”
“I thought I’d made it clear in my texts that I didn’t want to get back together. If that’s why you
asked me to come, I’ll be on my way now. I’m sorry, Oliver, but you’re wasting my time right now. I have things to do.” “...
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“What did you say?” I a...
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“You think I didn’t recognize him? He works with your mom, that Reed Abner guy. Professor of psychology and whatnot. And now you’re doing an internship with him? That’s convenient.”
“How do you know about my internship?” He shrugs again. “Saw it on social media. You and Reed looked cozy at the park.”
