Page 123 of Forbidden Fruit
“All good.” He flashes me one of his signature grins. “How are you?”
“I’m okay, I’m better. I know things have been intense between us, but I am hoping to go back to being friends.”
“I’m cool if you are,” he says with a shrug, before looking at the spread on the table. “I see you made a charcuterie board.”
“Yes, and I thought we could watch a movie too.”
“Hell yes, pick one while I wash my hands,” he agrees, heading toward the kitchen.
While Dylan washes up, I pickBoss Babyknowing it’ll be lighthearted and something easy to relax to. When he returns, we settle in, diving into the fruit and cheese as we attempt to watch the movie, though we quickly abandon that goal as we find ourselves just talking about everything and nothing instead.
Thirty minutes into the movie, the door opens. I look up and smile when I see Calvin walking in, holding a pizza box.
“Hi, how was your meeting?” I ask, a big smile spreading across my face. I rush over to him and pull him into a hug, feeling the heat of his body as I sink into his embrace.
“It went better than expected,” he says, leaning down and placing a possessive kiss on my lips.
I can’t help but roll my eyes as I pull away, trying to ignore the heat that floods my chest. “Remember Dylan?” I say.
Dylan stands up, offering a friendly handshake to Calvin. “What’s up, man?” he greets him, looking like he’s trying to keep things cool.
“Thank you for calling me. Because of you, I have the love of my life back,” Calvin declares firmly, his tone leaving no room for doubt as he asserts his territory.
I can’t help but roll my eyes again, but deep down, I love his possessiveness and the way he looks at me like I’m something he won’t let go of.
Dylan, sensing the tension, smiles. “No problem. Look, I should let you guys be. I have somewhere to be. It was nice seeing you both.”
“Thank you for coming, Dylan. I hope we can hang out again soon,” I call after him as he heads for the door.
“Yeah, text me,” Dylan replies, a smile returning to his face as he exits.
Once the door closes behind him, I turn to glare at Calvin, who is now lounging on the couch, happily eating his pizza.
“What? I didn’t punch the man,” he says nonchalantly, looking too damn good while eating pizza.
“You might as well have pissed on me to mark your territory,” I reply, the words coming out more teasing than angry. Honestly, I like the way he wants to claim me as his.
Calvin scrunches his face in mock confusion. “Nah, not into water sports,” he says with a wink, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
“I…” I pause, then burst into laughter. “You’re crazy,” I say, shaking my head, still chuckling.
“Crazy about you,” he responds, low and heated. Without another word, he taps his lap, and I walk over, settling on him with ease. His hands slide around my waist as if it’s the most natural thing in the world, securing me against him.
“So, how was it? Did you fix your friendship?” His voice is casual, but I can hear the undercurrent of jealousy lingering in it, even though we both know he’s trying his best to trust me.
“It was fine,” I reply, lifting my hands to cup his face. My thumb traces his jaw, and I can’t resist pressing my lips to his. He tastes like pepperoni pizza, salty and perfect. “But I miss you.”
“Hmm,” he murmurs into the kiss, and then his lips pull away just enough to speak. “Gimme some more of that.”
And I do, kissing him again, deeper this time, letting my lips claim his as if this kiss is the only thing that matters. We go on like that for a while, getting lost in each other, before I pull back, breathing heavily.
“I think I’m ready to go back to Boston tomorrow,” I say, my lips still brushing his as I speak.
“Are you sure?” he asks, his hands tightening around me as he waits for my answer.
“I think it’s time,” I say softly, the words feeling more real now. “And school will start again soon. I just want to make sure she and I are good.”
Honestly, Abby’s been trying to call me ever since Calvin showed up at my apartment and told me the truth. But I was still too angry, too hurt, to answer. I wasn’t ready to talk. And maybe a part of me still isn’t.
