Page 142 of Bitter When He Begs

Luca: Don’t be. You being in my head 24/7 is my favorite distraction.

Another pic comes in, this time of his notes, half-highlighted, scribbled in the margins with things like “ask Sage if this metaphor is dumb” and “wtf is Brechtian alienation again?”

Luca: This is me pretending to be a good student. Am I convincing?

I shake my head and try not to laugh out loud. I’m still outside, and people are starting to file in for their next round of lectures. I type back quickly:

Me: The pen in your mouth is doing all the heavy lifting here.

Luca: So you’re saying I look hot and distracted. Got it.

Luca: You’re not helping me focus, just so you know.

Me: I haven’t even said anything flirty.

Luca: That’s the problem. You existing is flirty.

I bite the inside of my cheek, fighting a losing battle with the smile tugging at my mouth. There’s a beat where I stare at his messages, wondering how the hell I got here—how I went from barely talking to this guy to private jokes, open affection, and a boyfriend who posts me with “my reason” under my face like he’s not even trying to play it cool.

Me: I like you, okay?

Me: Like…really like you. Just in case I haven’t said that clearly.

It takes him exactly five seconds to respond.

Luca: You just made me grin like a fucking idiot.

Luca: I know I’m the one who usually doesn’t shut up about feelings, but hearing it from you makes me feel like I won something.

Luca: You make me happy, Sage.

It’s not even a big speech. Not one of his usual drawn-out teases or filthy comments laced with affection disguised as provocation. It’s just that. Simple. Honest.

And it guts me in the best way.

Before I can overthink it, I type back.

Me: You make me happy too, King.

A bell rings somewhere in the distance and I flinch, realizing I have exactly four minutes to get to my next lecture before I’m stuck in the back row behind someone who smells like Axe and eats chips with their mouth open.

Me: I’ve gotta get to class. But text me later.

Luca: I’ll be thinking about you the whole time.

Me: Focus, baby.

Luca: Impossible when my favorite film major’s being sweet.

Luca Devereaux, the most arrogant, cocky, infuriating man I’ve ever met—this man who once made my life a living hell, who claimed me before I even knew what it meant, who drives me absolutely insane—

He’s happy because of me.

And I don’t even know what to do with that.

Luca

Todaywassupposedtobe a good day.