Page 77 of Unmasked

I get up and peek out, my heart galloping as soon as I see who it is. I open the door, shocked to see Stryker holding the sketchbook.

“I couldn’t wait. I needed to see what you drew.”

“And?”

He steps forward, grabbing me in his arms as he kisses the hell out of me. I melt against him, forgetting what we were discussing by the time he finishes. “I love it. You captured us perfectly.”

I drew a picture of us standing on the dock at the lake. Instead of admiring the trees' reflections in the water, we look at one another, our love evident on our faces.

“I will look at this every chance I get while I’m gone.” He crushes me against his chest. “God, I wish I were back already, and I haven’t even left yet.”

I squeeze my eyes closed, inhaling his scent deep in my lungs. “I miss you already.”

He slowly pulls back and wipes the tears from my cheeks. “I’ll talk to you every chance I get.”

“I look forward to it.”

“And I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“I know you will.” I fist his sweatshirt and, standing on my tiptoes, plant my lips against his. “Be safe, okay?”

“I promise. Promise you’ll be careful?”

I wrap my pinkie around his. “Pinkie swear.”

He chuckles before covering my face in kisses. “I better go.”

“I’ll walk you to your truck.”

Stryker grins. “Maybe I’ll shove you in my truck and take you with me.”

Holding his hand, we exit my apartment. “My parents would kill me. My mom was very specific. ‘This is your one chance. Don’t screw it up.’ I know you haven’t met her, but that was a perfect impression of my mom nagging me.”

“Fuck them, baby. You don’t need them.”

“I wish I didn’t. Unfortunately, I need their money to pay for my schooling.” I put my finger over his lips. “Let’s not dwell on them right now. I wanna enjoy our last few minutes together.”

He nods, squeezing me against his side. “You’re right. Let’s focus on us.”

“I can’t believefall break is next week.” Mandy grins atme. “An entire week of no classes or studying. I just wanna sleep for a week.”

“I’d forgotten about fall break.” My brows furrow. Maybe Stryker and I can find a way to be together. Even if I can stay with him while he works.

Pulling my thoughts away from him, I focus on Mandy. “Are you gonna spend time with Jeremy? You two seem pretty chummy lately.”

Her blush makes me grin. She’s teased me about Stryker enough. It’s time the shoe is on the other foot.

She avoids my eyes, hitching her backpack higher. “I hope so. We haven’t discussed it. Or anything else.”

I bite my lip, studying her. She’s still avoiding eye contact. “I think you need to talk with him about where you stand.”

“I don’t want to make demands.”

“Yeah, but you also don’t want to fall for someone who isn’t serious about you.”

“True.” Her lip quivers, and my heart goes out to her.

I throw my arm around her. “It’ll be okay, Mandy. He may be wondering where you stand with him. Maybe he’s trying to work up the nerve to talk to you about it.”