This morning, when I woke up, I was greeted with a sweet text.

I want and need you, sweetheart. Don’t ever forget that.

Even though his words and subsequent spanking helped drive home the fact that we’re good, it really wasn’t until that text that it sank in.

Callum Park likes me. Really, really likes me. And I like him. This thing between us is a powerful storm that keeps spinning ’round and ’round, gaining traction and speed. There’s no stopping it. It just is.

We. Just. Are.

The students I walk past in the hallway all seem so immature. Laughing and joking about dumb stuff. I’ll bet none of them are secretly seeing a man—a teacher—like Callum. None of them lost their minds with pleasure the way I did. I just know it. It’s a vibe I’m getting.

No one gets it but him.

We get each other.

“Not so speedy today, speedy,” Spencer says, coming into step beside me. “You’re walking like a turtle. You okay?”

I’m rudely kicked out of my daydream. I can’t be mad, though, because Spencer is a friend. I have friends now.

“I’m fine,” I say, smiling at him. “Just tired.”

“Same.” He groans and shakes his head. “I had to schmooze last night.”

“Schmooze?”

“My dad announced his running for attorney general.”

I stop to grin at him. “Congrats. Are you excited?”

“I’ve been told to be on my best behavior.” His blue eyes gleam with wickedness. “It’s like they don’t even know me.”

“Spencer,” I admonish. “Don’t do anything dumb.”

His grin turns into something equal parts boyish and terrifying. “Never.”

“Ew, Spence, go away. You can’t dick down every girl at school. It’s gross.”

We turn to the sound of a female voice. Gemma prances our way, lip curled up in disgust at her cousin—er, nephew. Spencer laughs at her and shrugs. I’m assuming the insult is for him, not me, so I smirk at him.

“For fuck’s sake, Gemm. You can’t turn this one. I like her.” Spencer pulls me over to him, making an over-the-top move of hugging me and sniffing my hair. “She smells like honey.”

Giggling, I try to shove him away, but he’s really strong. Someone starts playfully punching him from behind, which has him releasing me. Dempsey shoves Spencer away and flashes me a bright grin.

“You’re welcome.” Dempsey winks at me and then he turns to Gemma. “You can’t sink your claws into her. It will get you nowhere.”

Gemma huffs, crossing her arms over her chest. “You guys get to be friends with the new girl, but I don’t?”

“Lovers,” Dempsey corrects as Spencer says, “Yup.”

“I’m not new,” I mumble. “You guys just didn’t see me until now.”