The chirping of early-morning birds woke her, and she blinked sleepily, pressing herself more firmly into the boy at her side. She didn't speak, afraid to break the tranquility that encased them, and simply buried her face in his chest. Only to wind up with a mouth full of hair, which made him snort a laugh and her pull back, spitting theatrically.

Sleepy Derek looked good, all tousled hair and plump lips, and she wanted to stay here with him forever.

"Derek," she said softly, sliding her hand into his, and a little piece of her clicked into place, making her sigh. She relaxed when she realized he wasn't rushing to leave her and put this behind them and realized she'd been uneasy for that reason. "I don't regret this. Not one bit. Any of it. Or us. And I know we have a lot more to work out, but I want to make this work."

"Of course."

His gaze changed, turning dark and hungry, as his gaze fell to her lap. "How're you feeling?" he asked quietly.

"A little tired still. Why?" She noticed the heat in his gaze and flushed pink. "Sore. I don't think—I can't do another round." She picked at the hem of the loose sheet covering her nakedness. She'd never slept naked before, and yet here she was, sitting in bed with her soul-mate, butt-naked. And it didn't bother her as much as she thought it would. The embarrassment and shyness hadn't evaporated at all, but she was focusing on him rather than their shared nakedness.

"Mm. That's fine. I just wanna—" He flushed dark red and pursed his mouth, averted his eyes. "Can we cuddle?" His voice was surprisingly small.

Her heart warmed. "Of course." She laid back down and fitted herself into the curve beneath his arm, resting her head on the round of his shoulder and laying her arm across his chest. "Was it good for you?" she asked shyly.

"Amazing. I'm glad it was you," he murmured into her hair.

Neither of them spoke after that.

Monday morning rolled around and Chloe was staring into the depths of her closet for something to wear. Before they left the hotel, they'd exchanged phone numbers and had spent the entire night texting back and forth. She asked him questions, he answered, and then they flipped roles.

"Chloe, you need to hurry up!" Lauren's brisk, angry voice called from outside her bedroom door. Ever since they returned, she hadn't spoken to Chloe other than icy politeness. Steve, bless his heart, had asked her if everything was okay and when she explained that Derek had been the upmost gentleman, he smiled and kissed her on the forehead.

Scowling, she pulled out a pair of ripped boyfriend jeans, a pink T-shirt, and a dark grey Icon For Hire sweatshirt before pulling all of it on. She stopped in the bathroom, pulled her hair into a ponytail with a few wisps framing her face, and applied her usual mascara, winged eyeliner, and slight blush.

Satisfied with her appearance, she stuffed her feet into her well-worn running sneakers and opened the door.

"You look nice," Steve said around his cup of coffee as he appraised her with an absent worried-father look.

"Thanks."

"Are you wearing makeup?" Lauren demanded when she saw Chloe giving her dad a hug. "Since when did you start wearing makeup?"

Chloe's stomach twisted as she shrugged half-heartedly. What was so bad about wanting to look a little different to her everyday, little-girl baby face? "I dunno."

"Well," Steve said, narrowing his eyes at his wife's sister, "I think she looks nice. Maybe you could take a tip or two."

Chloe smothered a laugh. "I'm going now. Bye, Dad." She pressed a kiss to his cheek and walked past Lauren. "Bye."

Her phone buzzed.

Derek.

I'm picking you up in 5. Be ready.

Her stomach flipped over as she grabbed her backpack and hurried outside. Outside it was still chilly and she shivered, sticking her hands underneath her armpits, as she waited. A forest-green Honda Civic pulled into the driveway and the driver honked once.

She hopped down the steps and opened the door, climbing inside. A blast of heated air greeted her as she shivered while putting on her seatbelt and closing the door behind her. "Morning," she said, fighting hard to keep the shit-eating grin from spreading across her face, as she held her cold hands to the air vents.

He didn't reply.

"I said good morning, Derek. Usually, it's responded to with good morning," she said.

"Not a morning person," he muttered, turning his head and hesitating.

She leaned in close and made the decision for him, pressing her mouth to his gently before pulling away with a smile.

"Ready to go, soul-mate?" she asked.

"I'd go anywhere with you, Chloe. Even—" he shuddered playfully as he backed out of the driveway and began to drive "—school."

He offered his hand to her and she fitted her arm in the inside of his, curling their fingers together. The boy who hated her, it seemed, didn't. And she wouldn't have it any other way.