Page 21 of #Lovestrong

Her eyebrows shoot up. "Anyone? Ever?"

I chuckle. "No one. Ever. Never really wanted to either, to be honest. When your father is a Senator, most people only pretend to like you. I'm not interested in furthering anyone's status with my dick."

She claps her hand over her mouth as she laughs. "Well, that’s a colorful way to put it. You never told me your dad was a Senator."

We start walking toward the cafeteria again. "Would it have made a difference?"

She looks up at me with her face serious. "Of course not. I like you. Not because you’re a football player or hot, or because of anything else. I just like you."

As we walk, I lean down and press my forehead to hers, sighing with relief I didn't realize I needed. I know Lena doesn't care about any of that stuff, but it's good to hear her say it.

"So you think I'm hot?" I say as we reach the doors to the lunch room. Lena yanks her hand out of mine and freezes two feet from the door. Her chest doesn't move in the slightest, like she's holding her breath.

"Declan," she whispers finally. "Um, can we just eat out here or something? Please?"

It breaks my heart every time she says something with that pain coming through her voice. I close the gap between us and put my hands on either side of her face, urging her to look at me and not the doors.

"Lena, what's wrong? Baby, it's not that crowded, I promise."

She shakes her head back and forth. "It's not the crowds. Declan, please. Just get me anything, I'll give you money. Please?"

I kiss her forehead and let my lips linger against her skin. She grips my forearms, her nails digging slightly into my skin. "I got lunch. Stay here and I’ll be right back."