Page 11 of Austen, Edited

She dropped her book into her lap with a groan. “You’re such a pest.”

Greyson grinned. “Then I’m doing my job.”

Her blue-green eyes locked onto his, and for a few heartbeats, Greyson found it hard to breathe, the air not quite entering his lungs. She was so different than Hannah, but he felt drawn to her, to her beauty that had developed even more since he’d been gone. He’d always found her cute, but it wasn’t until now that his feelings stood at the boundary between friend and crush.

“Fine. Let’s get some food and watch something here. But I want to be in bed early.” She pointed at him, her eyebrow raised in a challenge.

“Turning into an old lady already?” he joked, pushing off the ground to stand up. He reached forward, waiting for her to take his hand.

“No, it’s just been a long week, and this girl needs a little peace before moving into my dorm and the rush of classes begins.” Her gaze flicked to his hand, a split-second hesitation causing a shred of doubt that he could repair the damage done. She finally took it, and the softness of her skin against his felt right somehow.

He could understand her need to recharge, but he wondered if there was something else underlying her reluctance to go into the city. He’d just have to work with what little she gave him to make it back into her life.