I started undressing as I moved through the loft, the feel of air against my skin was almost too much. I felt like my body was on fire...over a text. I toed off my shoes by the stairs going up to the bedroom, and took off my shirt as I went.

I got to the room and turned on the lamp by my bed then with my back to the window took a selfie. I sent Patrice the image of me, shirtless with rumpled hair, before I talked myself out of it.

Just the clock tower view for me tonight, and bed soon...

I knew I was starting something, but I was loathe to stop whatever this was.

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

Patrice

I was in bed already when I felt my phone buzz with a message containing a selfie from Easton. My heart raced from just seeing his face. He was standing in his room, and there was enough of his bare chest in the picture that I could see a little bit of the patch of hair he had between his pecs. The same patch of hair that I’d run my lips over almost obsessively last summer. Seeing it now made me recall exactly how warm his skin always felt, the way he was always eager for my touch.

I was really tripping.

I’d felt too wired all day, wishing I was in Ithaca and could show up at Easton’s door and end this game we’d been playing for weeks now. I ran my fingers over the screen of my phone, considering my next move.

I was always overthinking, calculating the many pitfalls that could come with being impulsive, of letting my feelings get the best of me. That’s why dating had always been on the backburner, something I couldn’t afford to throw myself into. There was too much at stake for distractions.

But now, with tenure looming further in the distance, life didn’t feel like an obstacle course. I felt like I could look around, like I could relax, and the only thing I wanted was more of Easton.

I opened my texting app and typed the words before I reconsidered.

FaceTime me when you’re in bed, so I can say goodnight.

Regret hit me almost as soon as I sent the message, but I wasn’t taking it back. Still, I quickly dropped the phone on the table next to the bed and grabbed my e-reader, pretending to read while I waited to hear the buzz of a message or a call coming in.