28

LUCIA

A low yawn escaped my lips as my eyes slowly fluttered open. I was about stretching my limbs when I noticed Jeremy next to me, still sound asleep.

I couldn’t help the small smile that spread across my lips as I simply stared at him. He was so breathtaking, and he had this boyish innocence around him when he slept, which made me want to protect him with everything I had.

His short hair fell in curls over his forehead and closed eyes, and his pinkish lips were slightly parted as he slept.

I leaned in and attempted to plant a small kiss on his lips before getting out of bed, but when I got close enough, I noticed that his eyes slowly opened and those beautiful cerulean orbs were now watching me curiously.

I gasped in surprise, my cheeks instantly turning red in embarrassment as I made to pull back.

“Oh no, you don’t.” Jeremy said, his voice groggy with sleep as he pulled me in, planting a kiss on my lips.

The kiss, which was supposed to be brief, soon turned extremely hot and passionate, and sometime during the kiss, I ended up on him, with his arms around me.

“I really don’t mind being woken up like this every day.” He said with a cocky smile, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively, and I chuckled, slapping his chest lightly as my cheeks flushed red.

“Shut up.” I joked, smiling so wide that my cheeks hurt.

The day had been so terrific so far. It was so good having Jeremy around, and it terrified me that I didn’t want him to leave.

This was the happiest I had been in a long time, and I didn’t want to lose that. I leaned in and was about to kiss him again when I suddenly heard the doorbell at the front door ring.

I froze instinctively on the spot, my heart racing, but it slowly began calming down when I realized that it was probably only Beth.

She was the only one who really knew that I lived here.

“I’ll get it.” I said to Jeremy once the doorbell chimed once again.

“Do you know who it is? Are you expecting anyone?” He asked, his expression filled with slight concern.

“It’s my best friend, Beth. Don’t worry. She knows about us. You can wait here or you can come out to see her. It depends on you.”

“Alright,” Jeremy said before planting a soft kiss on my lips, and I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.

He slowly got up from the bed, placing both hands on my face, giving me a loving smile. “I should get going too. I didn’t go home last night, and it’s almost evening right now. My brother would be concerned,”

He instantly stopped as he shook his head instead before he continued. “Scratch that. He’ll be curious, not concerned, and I don’t want him asking unnecessary questions and snooping around.”

“Aw.” I said, my heart instantly dropping at the fact that he would be leaving.

“Don’t worry, baby,” He said, planting a soft kiss on my lips, which made me perk up instantly. “I’ll be back soon. You know I can’t stay away from you for too long. I’ll be back before you know it.”

“You better.” I said with a small smile on my face, feeling my mood lighten at the promise that he would be back soon.

“You know I will,” He said with a wink, and I could not help the chuckle, which escaped my lips.

“Give me your phone.” He suddenly said and even though I was confused about his sudden request, I reached out to my dresser and picked up the phone, unlocked it and handed it to him with a strange look on my face.

I could hear the doorbell ring in the distance. I would go and answer it in a minute. I knew Beth would not leave unless she saw me first.

I watched Jeremy also take out his phone and click on the screens of both phones before handing mine back to me.

“I’ve exchanged our numbers. I’ll call you when I get home, alright?”

I couldn’t help the smile which spread across my face as I took the phone from him.

Since I would now be able to call and text him, I wouldn’t have to miss him too much and besides, I would still get to see him in school even though we had to keep pretending to be Professor and student.

“Got it,” I answered, and my smile widened as I stared at his contact, which had been saved on my phone.

“Oh shit!” I gasped when I heard the doorbell ring again. “I gotta go open the door!”

“And I’ll start getting dressed.” He answered, and I nodded as I threw a robe over my clothes and began making my way towards the living room, feeling Jeremy’s eyes on me.

When I got to the living room, I heard Beth press the doorbell a lot more impatiently now and I couldn’t help the small chuckle which escaped my lips as I unlocked the door and flung it open.

“What the hell, Lucy?!” Beth exclaimed the moment I opened the door.

“I thought I was going to grow grey hairs while you took your sweet time opening the door!” She exclaimed, pushing past me into the apartment, and I could not help but chuckle at her hysteria as I walked in after her.

“I’m sorry, Beth.” I said as she turned around and gave me a once over, her expression extremely suspicious.

“Something seems fishy. What are you up to?”

I shrugged, trying to give her my most innocent look. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

Beth placed her well-manicured hands on her chin thoughtfully, her gaze more intense on me as she shook her head.

“I don’t know what it is, but my senses are tingling. Something happened here. Don’t ask me how I know, alright? I just do.” She said, and as I was in the middle of laughing, Jeremy came out from my room into the living room, ready to leave.

Beth’s eyes looked like they were going to bulge out of their sockets. “I knew it! I knew you were up to something!” She said, looking from me to Jeremy, who had a sheepish smile on his face, which made me laugh even harder.

When I finally managed to compose myself, I cleared my throat loudly. “I know you two have met, but let me introduce you. Jeremy, this is my best friend, Beth. Beth, this is my boyfriend, Jeremy.”

Beth’s eyes widened at my use of the title. My boyfriend and I could see it in her eyes that she was going to hound me about this sooner or later.

“It’s nice meeting you, Beth. Thank you for letting me play at your wedding.” Jeremy said with a smile as he extended his hand towards her for a handshake.

Beth took his hand enthusiastically as she waved his words off dismissively with her other hand. “You’re welcome, but that's all Micheal. Thank you for playing at my wedding. It was so great to hear your beautiful voice.”

Jeremy’s cheeks flushed red slightly as he smiled, which showed off his pearly white teeth.

“Thank you. I’m glad Micheal invited me. I would not have met her otherwise.” He said, slinging his arm around me as he looked deep into my eyes with such a loving expression on his face.

My cheeks flushed red as a small smile spread across my lips.

“I’ll see you soon, okay?” He said, and before I could reply, he pressed his lips to mine, his lips as soft as ever.

My heart almost beat out of my chest as he winked at me. “Bye.”

“Bye.” I managed to answer, completely rooted to a spot as I simply watched him leave.

The moment he left and shut the door behind him, Beth let out a squeal, jumping up and down as she held my hands.

“Oh my God! He is so handsome!” She exclaimed, and I instantly chuckled, shaking my head.

“I know, right? Isn’t he?” I answered in a dreamy voice, which made her squeal even louder.

“And he is so smitten with you.” She commented, and I couldn’t help the blush, which made its way onto my cheeks.

I really hoped he was smitten with me because I was honestly so obsessed with him.

“So you two are official now?” Beth asked, her smile wide and weird like a Chesire cat’s as she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

“Well, yeah,” I answered shyly, unable to meet her eyes. “He slept here last night.”

Beth let out another squeal, jumping up and down, and I couldn’t help but smile fondly at her childishness.

“I would have volunteered to make some celebratory food, but I doubt there are any groceries in your kitchen.” She instantly pointed out.