CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 26

EZRA

Eros was actually… fun.

Not just good-looking, not just the type who probably had girls—and guys—falling over themselves for him. But genuinely funny. Brilliant too. The kind of person who made studying feel less like work and more like hanging out.

“So you’re telling me,” he said, gesturing with his pen like a professor, “you double major in math and computer science because you enjoy pain?”

I rolled my eyes. “It’s called ambition, Eros.”

“It’s called masochism.”

I tried not to laugh, but a snort escaped. “Shut up.”

He grinned, leaning back in his chair. “See, that’s the sound I was aiming for. Victory.”

“Keep dreaming.”

“Dreams, reality—I blur the lines all the time.” His eyes dropped to my face, and the grin softened into something that made my stomach flip. “You’re really beautiful, you know that?”

My pen froze. Heat crawled up my neck. “I—I’m not—”

“Yes, you are,” he said easily, like it was a fact, not up for debate. “Not just your face. The way you talk. The way you look when you’re thinking. It’s…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “Forget it.”

I swallowed hard. “Why would you say that?”

“Because it’s true.”

Silence stretched for a second, then he leaned closer, lowering his voice like we were conspirators. “Can I tell you something?”

I nodded, unsure why my heart was thumping.

“I screwed up.” His smile faltered. “With this guy I liked. He was amazing, and I messed it up. I think about him every day, and it’s like… I can’t undo it.”

My brows lifted. “You… liked a guy?”

He gave a half-smile. “Surprised?”

“A little.”

“I’m bi.” He shrugged like it was nothing. “Leaning straight, yeah, but when I fall, I fall hard. And this time—it was a guy.”

He leaned his head back, sighing. “I messed up, Ezra. Big time.”

Something inside me softened. I set my pen down. “Then fix it.”

He blinked at me. “That easy?”

“Yes. Call him. Apologize. People make mistakes. What matters is if you mean it when you say sorry.”

He stared at me like I’d just handed him the key to a locked door. Slowly, his grin came back. “You’re… something else, Ezra.”

Before I could ask what he meant, he leaned forward and pecked me on the cheek. Quick. Light.

My entire body froze.

“Thanks,” he said, smiling so brightly it nearly blinded me. Then he shoved his books into his bag and jogged off like he hadn’t just short-circuited my brain.

I sat there, blinking.

“What the hell just happened?” I whispered to myself.

My cheek was warm where he’d kissed it. My lips curved into a smile before I could stop them.

He was… a good guy. Weirdly touchy, sure. A little chaotic. But good.

Well, his name was Eros. What else could I expect?

I sighed, packing my own things. “Get a grip, Ezra.”

I slung my bag over my shoulder and turned around—

And almost tripped over my own feet.

Because Father Dorian was standing there.

Watching.

Frowning.

My heart plummeted straight into my stomach.

“Father,” I said quickly, forcing my face into what I prayed was a normal expression. “I didn’t see you there.”

His eyes flicked to the hallway Eros had disappeared down. “Who was that?”

I swallowed. “A… friend. From class.”

“A friend.” His voice was calm, but the edge in it sliced clean through me.

I nodded. “Yes. A friend.”

He tilted his head, gaze steady, waiting.

And my brain, traitor that it was, panicked.

“He’s—he’s my potential boyfriend,” I blurted out.

Silence.

Absolute silence.

My cheeks burned like fire. My stomach twisted. I wanted the ground to open and swallow me whole.

Dorian’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. Then he gave a single curt nod. “I see.”

He turned and walked away.

Just like that.

I stood there gripping my bag straps so hard my knuckles ached. Relief and shame crashed into each other inside me.

“Smooth, Ezra,” I muttered under my breath. “Real smooth. Potential boyfriend? Really?”

I dropped my head into my hands and groaned.

God, what was I even doing with my life?