Page 14 of Because I Liked A Boy (Because I Liked A Boy Trilogy #1)

The Maple Bean’s windows are fogged with steam, the air inside thick with the smell of roasted coffee beans and sugar. The bell above the door chimes as I step in, already tugging my coat tighter around me like that will help keep me together.

“About time,” a familiar voice calls.

Ruby. She’s already staked out our usual corner table, two mugs in front of her. Her hair is piled on top of her head in its usual messy bun, oversized sweater slipping off one shoulder like she rolled straight out of bed and still looks annoyingly good.

I slide into the seat across from her, grateful and a little guilty all at once. “Didn’t know you’d be here.”

She shrugs, sliding one mug toward me. “Saw you coming up the street. Figured you’d need caffeine more than oxygen today. Perks of working here—I can sneak a break when it’s important.”

Her eyes narrow, sharp in a way only Ruby can pull off. “And judging by the fact you’ve already got that deer-in-the-headlights look… I was right.”

I freeze, mug halfway to my lips. “I don’t look like that.”

She smirks. “You always look like that when it’s about him.”

Heat prickles at my neck. Of course she’d know. Ruby knows everything, except—

She doesn’t know about tonight. I haven’t seen her since yesterday when it all went down at the garage.

I take a long sip of coffee, stalling. Then, finally: “So… Hunter’s picking me up later.”

Her brows shoot up. “Later like…?”

I swallow hard. “Eight. Tonight.”

Ruby slams her palms on the table, making the mugs rattle. “Shut. Up.”

“Keep your voice down,” I hiss, glancing at the barista who definitely heard.

Her grin only widens, wicked and delighted. “Princess finally has a date.”

I groan, dropping my forehead into my hands. “It’s not—”

“Don’t even try,” Ruby cuts me off, practically bouncing in her seat. “I’ve been waiting months for this. The banter, the tension, the way you look at each other when you think nobody’s watching—it’s clear this is a date.”

“Ruby, we’re friends…” I mumble into my palms.

She ignores me completely, leaning forward like a general planning a battle. “Okay, first things first. Have you brushed your teeth?”

My head snaps up, scandalised. “What?”

“Mouthwash, floss, the whole works. Hunter’s the type to kiss you stupid before you’ve even finished saying hello.”

“Ruby!” My cheeks blaze so hot I’m surprised the windows don’t steam over more.

She just smirks, ticking something off on her fingers. “Fine, fine. Next—are you shaved?”

I choke on my coffee. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” She arches a brow, utterly unbothered. “Legs, bikini line, the whole garden. Because if tonight goes anywhere—and don’t you dare roll those eyes—you’ll thank me.”

I cover my face with both hands. “You’re impossible.”

She just tilts her head, eyes glittering. “I’m serious though—are you protected?”

I gape at her. “Ruby, I’m twenty-six, not sixteen. I think I can figure out how condoms work.”

Her grin widens. “Good. Because if this goes the way I think it will, you’re gonna need them.”

I groan again, wishing the earth would open up and swallow me whole. “It’s not like that.”

Ruby smirks, sipping her latte like she didn’t just casually eviscerate me. “Not yet. And you’re glowing,” she adds, eyes softening just a fraction. “Scared out of your mind, but glowing.”

For a second I almost tell her I don’t remember the last time anyone made me feel like this—seen, wanted, less broken. But the words stick in my throat. Easier to hide behind sarcasm.

I peek at her between my fingers. “We’re just friends, Ruby. That’s all this is. Just… friends hanging out.”

Before she can reply, my phone buzzes against the table. I reach for it too quickly, but she’s already glanced down, scanning the preview before I can flip it face-down.

Her grin turns feral. “Friends? Friends don’t send you three texts before noon telling you what to wear.”

My face burns. “He was joking.”

“Uh-huh.” She leans back in her chair, smirk firmly in place. “And friends definitely don’t tuck you into bed and cuddle you until you fall asleep.”

My stomach flips. “Who told you—”

Ruby grins like she’s just won the lottery. “You’ve got that look. The I’ve been held all night by a boy who makes my insides feel like static look.”

I groan, burying my face in my coffee cup. “You’re insane.”

“Insane, yes. Wrong? No.”

I shake my head, desperate to change the subject, but Ruby leans forward again, conspiratorial. “Call it what you want, babe, but tonight isn’t just a hangout. It’s a date. And I’m living for it.”

Ruby leans in, lowering her voice but not her grin. “Okay, fine, let’s test this little just friends theory. Do you get butterflies when he texts you?”

I glare. “No.”

“Do you think about kissing him?”

My cheeks flame. “Absolutely not.”

She cackles, delighted. “That’s a yes.”

I shake my head furiously. “We are just friends. Hanging out. End of discussion.”

She smirks, ready to press me further when the bell above the door chimes.

I don’t have to look to know. My body already knows.

Ruby’s eyes widen as she glances over my shoulder, then her grin turns downright wicked. “Well, speak of the devil.”

My stomach plummets as a familiar voice cuts through the café, lazy and smug.

“Princess.”

Hunter’s voice rolls through The Maple Bean like he owns the place. My whole body jolts, heat rushing up my neck.

Ruby’s grin freezes for half a second before snapping back sharper than ever.

“Guess my break’s over,” she sing-songs, shooting me a look dripping with good luck explaining this later.

She bounces to her feet and slips behind the counter, leaving me stranded at the table just as Hunter makes his way across the café.

Conversations dip, just slightly, as he passes. Like even strangers can feel the pull of him. And of course he comes straight to me, all swagger and sharp edges, like I never stood a chance.

He doesn’t even hesitate, cutting straight through the room with that easy swagger that makes people move out of his way. When he reaches my table, he leans down, palms braced on the wood, green eyes locked on mine like I’m the only person here.

“You gonna tell me why you haven’t replied to me?” His voice is low, pitched for me alone.

I freeze. My phone might as well weigh a hundred pounds in my pocket.

“I’ve been busy,” I manage, too defensive, too quick.

Hunter’s lips twitch like he sees right through me. “Busy ignoring me, maybe.” One hand shifts closer across the table, close enough that the heat of his skin brushes mine. “Come on, Princess. You can’t ghost me the day of our big night.”

Heat crawls up my throat. “It’s not a big night.”

“Sure it is.” His grin turns sharp, knowing. “Our first friends date.”

My pulse stumbles. I cross my arms, forcing space between us. “It’s not a date. It’s… ridiculous. We’re friends. That’s all.”

His grin spreads, smug and wicked. “Sure. Friends who cuddle.”

My face burns hotter, and I hate that he knows it.

For a second, neither of us moves. His gaze lingers on me, steady and infuriating, like he’s reading every thought I don’t want him to see. His hand brushes mine again, softer this time, deliberate.

Behind us, Ruby’s voice cuts through the hum of the espresso machine, just a little too sharp. “Black coffee. And a cappuccino.”

Hunter straightens, finally peeling himself away from me. He saunters to the counter, collects the drinks without a word—though not before Ruby slides the cappuccino across with a name scrawled in thick black marker.

One Night Stand Fuck.

My breath catches.

Hunter doesn’t even flinch. He just picks up both cups like he didn’t notice—or like he refuses to give Ruby the satisfaction. Then, before leaving, he doubles back to me.

He leans down, close enough that the heat of him swallows me whole, his breath brushing my ear.

“See you at eight, Princess.”

And just like that, he’s gone. Out the door, coffees in hand, leaving me flushed, speechless, and acutely aware of Ruby’s sharp-eyed stare burning into the side of my head.

His words linger like a touch, sinking under my skin. And the worst part? I don’t want them to fade.

I stand quickly, fumbling for my coat. “I should get back. Mr. Whittaker’s probably wondering where I’ve gone.”

Ruby doesn’t stop me. She just reaches over the counter, slides two cookies into a paper bag, and presses it into my hands. “One for you, one for your boss,” she says sweetly. Then, with a wicked grin: “And I expect details once you’re done playing bookseller.”

I roll my eyes, cheeks still burning, and escape out the door with the bag clutched tight.

Back at the shop, the bell above the shops door jingles as I step inside. Mr. Whittaker glances up from his clipboard, eyebrows lifting in mild surprise when I set the bag down in front of him. “Peace offering,” I say, nudging the cookie toward him before retreating behind the counter.

He chuckles, shaking his head. “Smart girl.”

My phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, already knowing.

Ruby: We’re going to the call when you finish. No excuses. What time am I picking you up?

I sigh, fingers flying.

Me: I finish at 3.

Her reply is instant.

Ruby: Great. See you then.

I tuck my phone away, heart still racing, and force myself to focus on the stack of hardbacks waiting to be shelved. But it’s useless. All I can think about is tonight.

I stack another hardback on the shelf, hands shaking too much to keep the spines straight. Tonight feels like standing at the edge of a cliff. And I can’t tell if I’m bracing for the fall or already leaning into it.