Page 96 of The Beta Test

My mouth drops open. He knows my name! Finally!

“And this is a costume—I’m dressed up as a college student who forgot to get a costume,” he adds.

Analiese turns back to him with a soft smile I’ve never seen before. “That’s so meta.”

“Thanks, Babe,” Dan coos, then he turns to the mysterious person behind him. “You going to get your girl so we can go party?”

Then Dan grabs Analiese’s hand and tugs her out of the room. She lets out another giggle and follows him like a docile lamb. It’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen.

My head shakes, and I turn to grab my bag. A voice stops me in my tracks.

“Hey, Buttercup.”

I gasp. It’s Jake!

He’s standing in the doorway, dressed as Westley from The Princess Bride. Even with the black mask, I can see his crystal blue eyes shining and his dimples popping adorably. His black outfit is complete with a sword at his side and tall boots on his feet.

“Jake!” I yell at the top of my lungs as I run, throwing myself into his arms.

He lets out a little ‘oof’ as he catches me. His arms lock around me, warm and solid.

“How are you here?” I ask breathlessly. My face buries into his silky shirt, inhaling him shamelessly. He feels so good.

His shoulders shrug against me, my face still buried in his chest. “I wanted to see you, so I came. Besides, I didn’t want to miss Halloween with my favorite girl.”

Realization hits me. “You’re Jenna’s package!”

He tugs lightly on a lock of my hair to get my attention. We lock eyes.

“I have no idea what that means, but she did drop me off at the airport.”

I nod, then pull myself up on my tiptoes to kiss him. He immediately kisses me back.

“Mmm,” he hums, then pulls back. His fingers come up to trace along my lips. “I’ve missed you.”

A blush creeps up my neck. “Me too.”

“Nothing is going to keep me away from you. You know that, right?”

His eyes, which are so often full of mischief, are serious. They bounce between mine with an intensity I don’t usually see—like he’s trying to will me to believe his words. And I do. I believe him. Jake has done everything he’s said he’d do and more. Even though we’re living three thousand miles apart, he’s here because he wanted to spend a silly holiday with me.

“I know.”

He checks my face one more time, like he’s making sure. He gives a little nod, then pats me on the butt. “Go get your crown, Princess.”

“Oh! I can’t believe I almost forgot!” I shuffle quickly over to my desk and snatch up my crown, settling it into my curls. Jake’s eyes seem reverent as he watches me walk back to him.

I bite my lip. “Maybe we can go get ice cream later? Just you and me?”

“As you wish,” he says, then drops a kiss on my head.