Page 30 of My Treasured Obsession

Oh, baby, I know how much of a good girl you can be. —Hunter

But I like your devilish side too. —Hunter

I threw my phone on the bed and covered my mouth, shocked. He did not just say that to me. Fuckity fucking fuck. And here I thought of keeping things between usplatonic.

Luna’s head peeked up at my reaction, her eyes narrowed.

“Luna,” I whispered. “I’m in big, big, big trouble.”

Hunter had to stop flirting with me. I had to put an end to this. Otherwise, we’d be fucking before the end of the semester. And I didn’t want him to just be a notch in my belt, which was the usual case for all the men who entered my life. Not to mention, mentally and emotionally, I wasn’t in the right headspace to start something—short-term or long-term—while my current predicament hung over my head like a sword.

Nor was it fair to start something with someone when you weren’t able to give them your one hundred percent.

Luna went back to licking her paw, deeming my crisis unimportant, and watching TV. Meanwhile, I chewed my lip, nervously reaching for my phone again.

Of course you do, considering you were so quick to indulge me—Gabby

Also, speaking of last night… —Gabby

Just want to make sure we’re cool? —Gabby

Why wouldn’t we be? —Hunter

Well, I hope the fact that we kissed (which was obviously a one-time thing) doesn’t make things weird in the future. —Gabby

Hunter read my message. He didn’t reply right away. One second turned into ten. Ten seconds turned into thirty. When it was nearing a minute, my insides roiled over. Should I have not said that? I wanted to establish a boundary, but now I was second-guessing myself.

Nothing’s weird. We’re good. —Hunter

Relief sank into my bones. Satisfied, I sent him another text.

Okay, good! It was just a kiss and it meant nothing because we’re friends, right? —Gabby

I could see the three dots indicating that Hunter was typing for quite some time.

Finally, my phone pinged again.

Exactly. —Hunter

Huh. I expected more than a one-word reply, but as long as we were on the same page, that was all that mattered.

I’m going to bed now, but just wanted to say that you didn’t deserve what happened to you today. If you find out more information about the situation, please let me know. I’d like to be there for you. —Hunter

As a friend, of course. —Hunter

He really was so perfect.

I will! ****** for everything. Good night, Hunter—Gabby

He understood that the ****** were a replacement for the thanks and he didn’t reprimand me.

Sweet dreams, Gabby. —Hunter

I put my phone down, the lull of sleep pulling at my body. I yawned and settled more comfortably under the covers. Luna curled against me and within minutes, I knocked out.

That night, I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

And I dreamt of Hunter for the first time in my life.