Who Laughs Last (Clearwater University, #2)

by Eva Ashwood

I don’t bother pointing out that I’d give anything for a guy who isn’t “menacing,” whatever that means. That it may seem entertaining or hot from the outside, but on the inside of this mess, it feels like having my heart strings plucked with razor blades. It’s the difference between fantasy and reality, and reality fucking hurts.

“And the truth is, I didn’t tell your dad jack shit about anything. I didn’t want your parents to get divorced.” “Bullsh—” “The truth is, I introduced your mom to my dad because I had a fucking crush on you!”

She blinks at me, her chocolate brown eyes regaining focus for a second, as if her mind has clawed its way out of the haze of lust. And for just that brief second, a look like hatred passes across her features. It hits me like a knife to the heart, like a death sentence, like someone snuffed out my fucking soul. I freeze, rendered completely immobile by the look on her face.

“Yeah,” I mutter. Absently, I reach up to rub at my chest where my dead heart sits. “Yeah. I know.” This will never happen again. Of all the things Emma Holloway has ever said to me, I believe those five words the most.

“I can’t stop.” His voice is soft, and his Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. “I can’t. Believe me, I fucking tried, but I can’t stop thinking about you. And I don’t want to anymore. I don’t want to pretend this never happened. I don’t want to pretend there’s nothing between us. I fucked up, Ems, and I want to make it better.”

Our relationship with someone isn’t defined by one single thing we say or do. It’s defined by how we are with them all the time, the entirety of how our lives intersect.”

I don’t know who moves first, me or her. I don’t know who closes the distance between us. All I know is that when my head drops and my lips find hers… I’m home.

“I’m gonna make everything better, Ems. I’m gonna fix this. All of it. I promise.”

WEST: I know you don’t want to talk. But I need to see you. Can we meet? Tomorrow, 12 p.m. Trattoria.

“I don’t know what anyone else told you,” I say softly, my voice a low rasp. “But I won’t play that game with you anymore. I’m on your side. I’ll pick you from now on. I’ll fight for you.”

“I told you once that I would’ve treated you best, Ems,” I murmur. “And I meant it. I’ve wanted you since the first fucking moment I laid eyes on you, and I still want you. More than anything else in the whole damn world.”