Page 35 of Fighting Fate
Turning back to me, she says, "He's different. He's got this energy, this...fire. When he touches me, it's electrifying."
Hearing about their physical closeness irks me more than I care to admit.
"Also," she continues, eyes following him.
Is she seriously ogling him?
What's so special about this freshman?
He's probably clueless with women. Now there, I have confidence in my abilities. Milli deserves someone skilled.
Not that you'll find out, Miles.
"He's built, but not intimidatingly so. You feel safe in his arms. And his dance moves? They're like silk, pure fluidity. Dancing with him feels like we're one entity."
Milli bites her lip, lost in thought, while I'm about to burst with frustration.
Get it together, Chasen.
"So, he's good?" I ask.
"He's remarkable," she declares, her smile glowing. "I had my doubts about teaming up, but it feels like destiny. You can call it fate or whatever you prefer, but it's...great, fun."
Fate? Hardly. I nod, speechless. What the fuck am I supposed to say?
Oh, that's awesome, Milli. I'm so happy you have found someone who gets to rub themselves all over you every day.
Something I've only dreamed . . .
She lets out a sigh, the tension melting away as she speaks. "Yeah, with Wyatt and the Hanmann sisters around today, I'm feeling pretty fortunate." Excitement twinkles in her eyes, and my annoyance fades a bit. Her happiness isn't just about Wyatt.
I gently brush away a stray curl clinging to her lip. She watches me closely as I slowly glide my thumb over her lip, her gaze following my every move. The urge to kiss her, to erase Wyatt from her thoughts, is overwhelming. But the soft sound she makes brings me back to reality. I tuck the hair behind her ear and say, "That's awesome, Mills. I'm really happy for you." And I mean it. If anyone deserves a great partner and adorable little sisters as dance students, it's her. She deserves everything and more.
She chuckles softly, looking down. Something's on her mind.
"What's going on?" I ask.
Looking up, she confesses, "I'm just surprised at how well I'm adjusting to all this. I was worried I might not like it."
I raise an eyebrow.
"Because of Luke and everything."
Ah, Luke...He's not so bad, just overprotective, which I get. But as much as I want to shield her, especially from college guys, I have to step back. I need to focus on finishing my senior year strong and getting into a top medical residency program.
She exhales. "I envision these next four years as a journey of self-discovery, of embracing risks and savoring every single moment. And I sense, deep down, that I'm beginning to embark on that very journey."
A smile crosses my face. It's common for freshmen to view college as a new beginning, a time to redefine themselves, and she's embracing that. We talked about this when she considered NorthRidge University. I promised to support her transformation, and seeing her start this journey is truly heartening.
"You're making a great start. Don't worry about Luke; he's just being a big brother," I reassure her.
Her smile, thankful and bright, lights up her face. "Thanks, Sunshine. That means a lot." Her voice quivers slightly as she adds in, "I'm, uh, glad we could move past the other night."
Oh, that night, the one where we got closer than ever? Far from forgotten, Mills.
We hold each other's gaze, the magnetic pull between us intensifying with every second. My heart races, my palms begin to sweat. She steps closer, narrowing the gap between us until we're inches apart. I catch the faint scent of her perfume, like honeysuckle, utterly captivating.
Instinctively, I reach out, my thumb caressing her cheek. "Me too, Mills," I whisper.