Page 44 of Always Choosing You

Vanessa’s eyes twinkled. “Done. I’ll send these over as soon as I get home.”

“Give one of them to Gina,” she said. “I want to see how she does. I think we should consider her for the senior pages.”

Vanessa nodded. “My thoughts exactly.”

After a slightly awkward goodbye, Vanessa took off, leaving her alone with Jay.

He grabbed for Rory the second the door slammed shut. “So, you’re the boss, huh?”

“No, not really. Just the lead designer.”

“Just the lead designer?” Jay teased, bending over to nibble her ear.

She sighed. “This is going to pretty much be my life for the next six months.”

“Does that mean you’re not working at Scoops this spring?”

“No, I will. Probably only night shifts though,” she said. “Why do you ask?”

He shrugged. “Wanted to know if I’ll get the chance to makeout with you in The War Room.”

She perked up. “Does that mean you’ll be coming back to work this summer?”

Jay nodded. “I don’t have it in me to make any other plans.”

Most of the time, Scoopers who left for college wouldn’t come back to work there, either getting better-paying summer jobs or even part-time internships. Rory had naturally assumed Jay would want to find something else. But apparently, she was wrong.

She kissed his cheek. “So if Melanie and Calvin’s go-to makeout spot is the bathroom, what’s ours?”

“The attic,” Jay bantered. “No, even better. The walk-in.”

Rory laughed, thinking about what it would be like to makeout inside a literal walk-in fridge. “I’m thinking the attic might be a little more comfortable.”

“But think about Calvin’s face when he opens up the walk-in to get can of whipped cream and is welcomed with such a lovely surprise.”

“You’re ruthless.”

Jay chuckled, closing the gap between them as he kissed her fervently.

She pulled back slightly before letting him continue. “I haven’t heard from you in a few days.”

“I know,” he whispered. “I’ve had this…thing on campus. It’s sucking up my time.”

She frowned. “What kind of thing?”

He nuzzled her nose. “I joined a club.”

Rory grinned. “You did? That’s awesome!”

“It’s no big deal,” he said, dismissing her. He cupped the back of her head with one hand and kissed her again, holding her waist tightly with the other as he backed her toward the couch. Jay eased her onto the cushions before lying down himself and pressing his body against hers.

She curled her arms around his waist, pressing her fingertips into his back as he kissed down her neck, pulling the collar of her sweater down so he could continue his trail.

Jay traced his lips back up her neck, closing in to kiss her. But she held up a finger to stop him, making him groan slightly.

“Maybe…maybe we shouldn’t,” she whispered.

“Oh, I think we should.”