Chapter 13

Ethan

Ethan looked up in surprise as Riley walked into the stacks towards him. The bright light from the main library space was behind him, and his figure in the dimmer aisle reminded Ethan of the time that Riley had tried to kiss him at the frat party.

“What is it?” he asked as Riley reached the corner where he was browsing.

“I was just walking towards the literature aisles and saw you here.”

“Oh,” Ethan replied.

What was he meant to say to that?

“Are you finding what you were looking for?” Riley asked.

“Yes,” Ethan said as he gestured to the small pile of books that he’d collected at his feet. 

He shivered as he smelled Riley’s familiar cologne. Riley leaned in to whisper, their faces close.

“Listen, Ethan; I just wanted to say that I–”

Ethan wasn’t listening and couldn’t help leaning forward to kiss the cor