This would take place in book 5.
Zach found me in one of my favorite study spots, a window seat with the curtains pulled around me.
"Can I join?" he asked, not even waiting for my answer before he picked me up and slid into the seat beneath me.
"I don't think there's room for you to study in here," I said.
His fingers were gently on my skin as he pulled back my hair and kissed behind my ear. "I'll study you."
I exhaled and his kisses trailed to the back of my neck. "Cheesy," I managed to say.
He came back to my ear and whispered dark and low, "Boyfriends are supposed to be a little cheesy."
"Boyfriend?" I tensed, but Zach's arms just held me tighter as his kisses continued.
"Mhmm," he mumbled against my skin. I stayed frozen, like a deer in the headlights. I was thankful my back was facing him, the fear on my face slightly hidden.
But then he turned me so our faces were inches away from each other. "What's wrong?" he said, searching my eyes with the same intense gaze he's given me many times before.
"I . . . It's . . . You . . ." I trailed off. He slouched back. An almost disappointed look crossed his face. I was still on top of him, but somehow he felt miles away.
"I get it," he said. A confused look must of crossed my face because he said, "I understand."
He twisted out from under me and stood up. As he took his first step away, I whispered, "Zach."
I don't know how he heard it, it was small and fragile. But he still turned, hands in his pocket as he looked up at me. I couldn't describe the look on his face in that moment, it wasn't one I had ever seen before. Not on Josh. Not on him.
I was standing on the seat now, level with him as I reached out and wrapped my farms gently around his neck.
"I think," I started slowly, staring deep into his eyes, trying to search his like he always does mine. "You forgot to kiss me goodnight." A small smirk broke out on his face. "I think that's something a . . ." I trailed off for a second, letting my eyes drift away from his as I said, "something a boyfriend would do."
The word felt strange on my lips, but Zach just pressed closer to me and our eyes met again. He kissed me gently, for just a second or two. We were in the library after all!
He ran his fingers over my faded scars and pressed a kiss against my forehead before helping me off the bench.
He carried my books and held my hand as we walked back toward my suite, and for a moment it felt like we were almost normal.
Boyfriend.