Page 33 of Muse (The Forbidden Hearts #1)

SOPHIE

T he next few days pass in a blur of stolen moments.

His hand brushes mine in passing, we trade lingering looks across the classroom, a whispered “thinking of you” when no one’s listening.

We still talk on the phone every single night, longing for a future where no one expects anything from us.

He tells me I’ll have a sunlit art gallery downtown, and he’ll show up with coffee every morning just to watch me paint. We laugh until I cry.

Theo’s confession, his beautiful words, his gentle touch…

they are burned into my mind, playing on an endless loop.

It’s like a dream, one I never want to wake up from.

I glance over at the clock, though, and know it’s time to get up for the day, no more time for daydreaming.

I make my way to the bathroom to get ready for school.

I catch my reflection in the mirror while brushing my teeth and immediately scowl. God, I look ridiculous, grinning like an idiot. Stop it. You’re going to blow it.

But I can’t stop. My cheeks hurt, my stomach is doing somersaults, and I swear I’ve been glowing since Monday. I’m doomed. He’s completely ruined me .

Downstairs, Bells narrows her eyes at me over her bowl of Captain Crunch. “You’re acting weird,” she says, spoon halfway to her mouth. “Like… weird, even for you.”

“Thanks, sis.” I roll my eyes. “Love you too!” I grab a granola bar and bottle of water, heading out the door before she can interrogate me further.

When I arrive at school, later than my new normal, I find coffee and a chicken biscuit waiting for me on my desk, still warm, but Theo nowhere in sight. My heart does a little flip. He spoils me in these quiet, careful ways like he knows what I need before I even ask.

I scarf it down, finishing up right as the first students begin to filter in, Theo right on their heels.

He shoots me a quick smile, his dimple making a brief appearance just for me. My chest squeezes tight. I swear that damn dimple gets me every time.

It’s become almost impossible to pretend things are normal between us. Every time I look at him, warmth floods my chest and my fingers twitch like they’re dying to reach for him. I’m surprised no one catches on.

Every glance between us, every “accidental” brush of his hand against me, feels loaded with so much emotion it’s like my skin is on high alert. Every nerve stretched tight and buzzing, begging for more. He tries his best to act normal, but honestly… he’s terrible at it.

Either that, or he’s begun not to care.

Today, as he begins the lecture, his voice cracks so badly that half of the class snickers.

My heart stutters in my chest, a laugh rising in my throat as I watch him scramble.

God, he’s so endearing when he’s flustered.

When he goes to pass out papers, he drops the entire stack, papers floating to the floor.

Our eyes meet across the room as he stands again, gathering himself, and he gives me the smallest, sheepish shrug. I want to laugh out loud. I want to walk across the room and kiss him in front of everyone, just to quiet the ache twisting in my gut and pulling tight behind my ribs.

But I don’t. I can’t.

Instead, I keep my head down, focusing on staying here in my seat where I belong. I throw myself into the assignment, analyzing an excerpt of text, when my phone buzzes in my pocket.

I slowly pull it out, keeping it tucked under the desk.

Theo: I miss you.

Sophie: I’m right here.

Theo: And yet, you are so out of reach.

I glance up at him, finding his eyes glued to my face. I see everything there, in his expression. Love, longing, need. I feel the exact same way.

At lunch, Sal and I find a spot inside, the pollen having become too much to enjoy our spot in the courtyard. We munch on Doritos, Twizzlers, and a half-smashed bag of mini Oreos from Sal’s tote, none of which qualify as lunch, but whatever.

I hunch over my phone, half-listening to Sal as she complains about some guy who ghosted her. We both know he’ll be forgotten by tomorrow, though, so no use in dwelling on the fact. Sal throws away guys like they’re candy wrappers.

My screen lights up in my hand, Theo’s name once again appearing at the top.

Theo: Can’t stop thinking about you.

I quickly turn down the brightness on my phone, wary of the many prying eyes around us in the crowded cafeteria. I much prefer being outside to this.

Sophie: You’re a bad influence, Mr. Hayes.

Theo: Meet me after school? Just five minutes, back lot.

Every fiber of my being screams yes. I should say no, it’s too risky. I should tell him to meet me somewhere else, somewhere safe. But I don’t have time tonight, I need to head straight home.

So, I text back an “ okay ” .

The moment the final bell rings, I grab my things and head for my car. The hallways are packed with students and teachers rushing to leave, so I bob and weave, excitement pulsing in my veins. I get to my car and deposit my bag and water bottle inside, then sit and wait.

I count every slow minute, tapping my fingers against the steering wheel. Five buses, a whole caravan of seniors, and three teachers later, I finally crack the door open and step out. The lot’s mostly cleared, and I breathe a little easier.

I see Theo’s car parked along the back edge of the lot, near a shed I think is used for sports equipment. The small building throws a long shadow across the asphalt. I don’t yet see him, but I make my way over anyway.

I round the corner of the shed and spot him immediately, leaning against the wall. His arms are folded tight across his chest, jaw clenched, foot tapping like he’s one second away from wearing a hole into the ground. I can feel the impatience rolling off of him from all the way over here.

The moment he sees me, he pushes off the wall, and is in front of me in three long strides.

He grabs me by the waist, yanking me against him so fast the breath leaves my lungs.

My cheek finds the steady thump of his chest as he tucks my head under his chin.

I inhale, and his scent—warm skin, coffee, and cedar—wraps around me like a blanket.

The distant sounds of life fade into a dull hum. With him, the whole world blurs out.

We stand like that for a minute, saying nothing, just holding on to each other. His hands flex against my back as I grab his shirt tightly in my fists, wishing I could yank it off and press every inch of myself against him. But I grip tighter instead, holding him flush against me .

“Just a little longer,” he murmurs into my hair. “Then you’ll be mine. Out loud.”

I squeeze my eyes shut against the prickle of tears at his confession. I want that. I want it so badly it hurts.

A door slams, likely from the school building. Voices echo across the parking lot. They must be headed this way. We spring apart like we’ve been electrocuted, the sudden absence of him leaving me cold. My arms still tingle where he touched me, phantom warmth slipping through my fingers.

I tuck myself back against the wall, just in case, and Theo peeks around the corner. His body instantly sags in relief.

“It’s okay, they’ve stopped at a car.”

He scrubs a hand down his face, looking like he just aged five years in five seconds. I can relate. My legs feel weak, and my heartbeat is a sledgehammer in my ears. We exchange a look, both of us exasperated and breathless. We keep cutting it too close, risking everything.

I know we need to be more careful, but it’s getting harder and harder by the day.

“Only a month and a half left,” I say.

He nods, his expression pained. His muscles flex like he’s fighting the urge to grab me and never let me go again. I wish he would. It gets harder, every single day, to fight this. To hide what we are to one another. It’s driving me insane.

I reach out, brushing my fingers over the veins on the back of his hand, needing the anchor of him. Keeping me grounded. He turns his palm up to meet mine, giving my hand a quick squeeze. A promise.

“This weekend, you’re all mine.”

“At the fair?” I ask, knowing the answer is likely no, but it’s worth a shot anyway.

“Maybe I’ll find you there.”

This weekend can’t come quick enough.