She doesn’t respond, so I busy myself with my work. If I let my mind drift, I’ll get pissed at Dad or annoyed with Hugo hiding shit from me, or obsess over Willa. Once I’m finished for the evening, I grab a quick shower. I’m just coming out of the bathroom in a towel wrapped loosely around my waist when I hear buzzing from my phone. I pick it up, expecting more yammering from Hugo, but instead discover a number I don’t recognize.

Unknown Number: A little freaked out if I’m being honest.

A flash of heat ignites in my gut, burning its way through every nerve. It’s Willa. She responded. It’s such a simple text, answering my question. Benign. It assures me she’s fine. No need to delve further.

Except, I do.

Me: That’s natural. It was an invasion of your privacy, and quite frankly, criminal.

I quickly save her name on my phone. I’m waiting on pins and needles for her reply like a desperate teenage virgin talking to a girl for the first time.

Willa: Thank you for what you did today. It means a lot. I don’t have anyone who cares enough to fight for me.

Her words are a punch to my chest. How can someone so sweet and beautiful be treated that way?

Me: You’re welcome. It was my pleasure.

Willa: Good night, Mr. Park.

Me: Call me Callum when we’re not at school.

Fuck.

The dots move and stop a couple times, making me regret my last text. It’s too late to take it back now.

Willa: Does this make us friends, Callum?

My dick thickens at her text. I can almost imagine her lips curling into a flirty smirk. This is wrong. We’ve crossed a line here and I need to gingerly step back over it, creating distance between us.

But she just fucking admitted she has no one.

No. One.

Me: Yeah, I suppose it does. Get some rest.

Willa: Yes, sir.

Me: Good girl.

Jesus Christ. Do I have to keep flirting with her?

Willa: See you tomorrow. Thanks again.

I toss my phone away from me onto the bed. The last thing I need to do is reply and call her sweetheart or beautiful or anything else to get my ass in trouble. With a grumble of annoyance, I yank off the towel around my waist, grab a bottle of lube, and fuck my fist in an effort to relieve some of this built-up tension.

All it does is make me crave her more.

Fantasize about my dick inside her and her lips on mine.

I’m going to have to figure out something to get this girl out of my head. This is getting out of control.

Chapter Six

Willa

Friends.