𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄 𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 with soft and mature themes.
College senior Sierra adores her best friend Brian, but he inadvertently thwarts her love life on occasion. She didn't expect to meet Nick that night, but they quickly fel...
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Brian shrugs. "We already know how this is going to go."
I throw his hoodie at his face from my spot on the bed. "Can't you try? Like, really try?"
Smiling, B reaches for the shirt on the ground. He shakes his head while refolding. Snippets of conversation between boisterous guys as they zip past float into B's room. The two-bedroom dorm he shares with Zane is in a party building, and he often comes to my place to study for less distraction.
Photos of his family and friends decorate the walls of Brian's tiny room. Stacks of t-shirts and brochures from his job at the Admissions Office cover his desk next to his textbooks and a case of water bottles.
His confidence and charisma make him a natural choice to recruit students. On occasion, I've assisted him at nighttime events, manning the back table while he gives a speech. How some of these high school girls look at him cracks me up when I recall his bowl cut from the end of tenth grade.
"How many dates have you gone on?"
"Two dates where I wore intentionally nice clothing. Tonight's number three, and then I'll introduce him to you."
Brian shoves a stack of t-shirts into a drawer and slams it shut. His lips are pursed, eyebrows pinched as he faces me. "Why does he care what I think?"
"Well, he doesn't. He doesn't know you exist."
"SiSi," he sighs.
The springs of B's full-sized bed give as I slide off, giving him my best anime character eyes. He's about four inches taller and ten times more intimidating, but has the kindest, caring heart. His smile grows as I wrap fingers around his forearms, and he pokes his tongue against his cheek, chuckling as I speak.
"Yes? What is it, my best friend and brother whom I've nursed back to health from hangovers every year of college? Who stayed up until four a.m. to help you finish a paper and save you from a mental breakdown. Whatever do you have to say to your one and only true love: me?"
B lifts his folded arms for me to duck under. "Nothin', I'll do whatever you want."
"Be nice, please. I think I could really like him."
***
The following night, Nick and I stroll the few blocks to where Nat and Matt are and leave his vehicle at the restaurant. Nicholas interlaces his fingers with mine, and I'm sure I wear a stupid grin the whole way.
"My food was delicious," I say as we round the corner. Light and music spill out of the open doorway ahead, and my stomach twists at the idea of walking into a big group.
The anxiety dissipates as Nick grasps my hand tighter tighter and brings it to his lips for a quick kiss. I walk ahead on the porch, almost passing through the doorway when he pauses me, tugging my wrist, bringing the other hand to cup my face. "Sierra, wait. I'm going to die if I don't kiss you tonight."
