Academically Yours (Best Friends Book Club, #1)

by Jennifer Chipman

Dreams. I couldn’t remember the last time I had felt like I had any. What was I searching for? What did I want in life? I didn’t know.

Still, I would have rather been anywhere else on a Friday night than at the University. Like at home, with my dog, sitting on the couch and watching television, or reading a book.

🧎‍♀️

I knew, that once I found the right person, I was going to be in it for the long haul. Once I met her, I was going to do whatever it took to keep her in my life, and make sure she knew that I was hers, forever. And she would be mine. Absolutely, unequivocally, mine. I was just waiting for her to walk into my life.

And for some reason, her small smile just did something to me. Because the pure and utter bliss on her face… It stuck with me.

She just seemed like… warmth. It felt like it oozed from her like she could be the light in any dark, bringing a place to life with just a smile.

Because at the other end of the room stood the most beautiful man I had ever seen. Not even exaggerating, he was gorgeous. I think my heart skipped a beat. Holy hell, he looked like he could have been a painting.

And for the first time in my life, I thought to myself, is this what it means for fate to exist?

“Well, Just Noelle Hastings, it’s very nice to meet you.”

“I’d much prefer to meet the love of my life in more of a… Unique way.”

“What is?” Matthew looked at me with the sincerest look in his eyes when he said, “That we hadn’t met before.” And, oh God—I blushed.

Noelle Hastings, in my life. I knew I would never forget it. It had been so sweet on her lips, her voice warm and friendly as we talked all through the night.

And when she had asked me how I wanted to meet someone, I almost said it. Just like this.

Had I manifested her? Had I somehow made myself see the girl of my dreams wherever I went?

Girl of your dreams? Oh god, Matthew. You need to rein it in buddy,

She carried herself as if the very world depended on her light, the warmth of her smile. Maybe it did.

I couldn’t explain it, but I felt comfortable around him, and I liked talking to him. Yeah—this beautiful, tall, blonde man, who I seemed to run into everywhere I went on campus—I had to admit that he fascinated me.

I knew I had been thinking about Noelle Hastings more than I should have been, but as I looked up as I walked into my night class that Wednesday, I couldn’t believe my eyes. There she was. Sitting in the back row, coffee cup in hand, smirking at me.

And she blushed. I loved it when she did that, watching it spread over her freckled cheeks. Oh, God. I was totally obsessed with this girl, wasn’t I?

I wanted to stop this obsession—I really did. To stop thinking about her, stop picturing her anytime I closed my eyes. I hated the reaction she invoked in me, for making me want to be around her even more. And if it wasn’t bad enough that I was struggling with these completely ridiculous thoughts, I kept seeing her everywhere.

I couldn’t explain what those things did to me because I didn’t understand it myself. All I knew is it made me want to know more, want to get to know the girl behind all of those things. I wanted to know her coffee order, her music tastes, and the trivial things I could never know just by observing her.

“What?” Noelle asked, one eyebrow arched as I chuckled to myself. “You’re just different from so many people I’ve met, Noelle,” I murmured, as we still stood talking over the cookies.

“At least fictional men don’t let you down,”

True

I knew I had to swoop in. Because nope. Nope. Nope. Fuck this, I was getting her out of there.

“Everything okay over here, gentlemen?”

“Fucking jerk,” I muttered under my breath, then I addressed Noelle directly for the first time all night. “Are you okay, Noelle?”

☹️☹️

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Noelle’s eyes bore into mine for a long moment. “Did you mean what you said?” she said eventually. “Are we friends?”

“You tell me, Noelle,” I said softly. “Well, I’ve never been friends with any professors before, but I think I might like to give it a try—” She swayed on her heels, and I darted forward to catch her, ending up with her in my arms, peering up at me with her huge eyes.

HABDBSSBDJENEHDB

I was touching her. Holy shit, I was touching her, and I couldn’t help but notice how right she felt in my arms. I wanted to tuck her in and pull her in tight to a hug, but I knew we weren’t there yet, so I loosened my hold and guided her backward. “Woah there, sweetheart,”

he’s so perfect

“You’re so warm,” she murmured into my shirt. “Can I stay here forever? Feels like heaven.”

The name was Best Friends Book Club, and I had to admit, it made me smile. It was so very Noelle.

“Hey, Noelle. How are you feeling?” He crouched down next to my chair. “Hi, Professor Harper.” “Please,” he insisted. “We’re friends now, aren’t we? You can call me Matthew.”

“How much do you remember from last night?” Everything, I wanted to say. How right it felt in your arms, most definitely.

😭😭😭

“But no, I meant—you told me once that you were good with numbers. But you’re good with words, too.” Matthew gave me a little smirk. “I read a lot as a kid.”

“Don’t look so surprised, Noelle.” “Who said I was surprised?” I fixed a little scowl on my face, but I didn’t mean it. It just seemed like more fun to mess with him. He reached over and touched the tip of my nose. “That little expression of yours did.” And oh my God, did he just touch my nose? “I—”

OHHHMYYYGOD

You’re safe with me.”

“You’re right.” I finally said, quietly, under my breath. “I always am.” I wanted to punch him in the shoulder for that comment, but instead, I just furrowed my brows and gave him a little glare. He laughed.

And now, every flash of red hair, every cup of coffee, and pastry reminded me of her.

“Matthew. Hi.” “Hi.” I grinned back. “It’s been a few days.” “Missed me that much, huh? I mean I know I’m unforgettable, but…” Noelle laughed.

“What if I come with you? I’ll be good company, I promise.” I would have gotten down on my knees and begged, but she didn’t need to know that.

“Oh my god,” Noelle gasped. “Are you blushing?” “Shut up,” I mumbled, shoving my hands in my jacket, and trying not to make eye contact with her. But I couldn’t help it, because this was Noelle, and all of my senses were attuned to her.

Noelle beamed. And that was when I realized—this girl was the sun. And I wanted to bathe in her warmth.

“You’re always eating sweets, so I figured you’d like it,” he mumbled. “And one caramel mocha.” He placed the cup in my hands. I raised an eyebrow. How had he known my coffee order? “I pay attention,”

“But I like watching you eat sweets.” He mumbled under his breath, “I think it’s cute.” Just quiet enough that I almost couldn’t hear him—but I did.

The scream I let out

You’re safe. You’re cared for. You’re wanted.

Where I sat, thigh to thigh with Matthew Harper, our hands dangerously close to touching between us.

I must have dozed off against his shoulder, because his lips were brushing against my forehead as he whispered, “Noelle, we’re back.”

“And do you?” I asked. He just blinked at me. “What?” My face split into a grin. “Think of me.” I gave a wink. He shook his head and flicked my nose. “You’re so…” “Charming? Alluring? Momentous?” I did a little flip of my hair and stood with my hands on my hips. Beautiful? Lovely? Incredible? I wanted to know what word was on the tip of his tongue. I wanted to hear him say it, to let it fill me with warmth from my head to my toes. But he only shook his head and chuckled to himself. “Goodnight, Noelle. Thank you again for letting me come.”

I stepped in closer, and he pulled me into his arms. And then—we were hugging. I was hugging Matthew Harper, here, in front of my residence hall. I couldn’t help myself as I wrapped my arms around him and buried my face in his chest though. I took in the scent of him, like pine trees and man and something that was just him. It felt right in his arms, a feeling of rightness I didn’t want to end yet. I didn’t want to step out of his powerful hold, even as I sighed against his tall frame. “Goodnight, Noelle,” he murmured into my hair. “Goodnight, Professor Harper,” I said against his chest before he finally pulled away, taking the heat of his body with him.

It was us—Matthew and I—from behind. We were holding hands, completely oblivious to Hazel behind us, and I was laughing at something he said. And the look on Matthew’s face? I couldn’t ignore the warmth in his eyes, the smile as he looked at me that communicated things that words did not. It was beautiful, and I knew I would treasure the memory forever.

I wanted to hold her again. Wanted to take her in my arms and never let her go.