Love, Utley (Love Letters #1)

Resting my elbow on the table, I hold the phone up so I’m looking into Maddox’s kind eyes.

“Hey, Bunny.”

I shake my head. Then I shake my head again. And finally, a stupid smile wins out, pulling across my features. “What is wrong with you?”

He presses a hand to his chest. “Moi?”

“No.” I shake my head. “You do not get to be handsome, sweet, and speak French.”

He chuckles. “If it makes you feel better, my command of the French language is extremely limited.”

“It helps.”

I took French for a few years back in high school, and the idea of Maddox speaking it to me is too much.

Maddox smirks. “So… does the fact that you’re already wearing the hoodie mean you don’t plan to burn it?”

I lift a shoulder. “Only time will tell.”

“Fair. Reserve the right of destruction.”

I look at his familiar features. “You didn’t need to do it, ya know?”

“The hoodie?”

“The hoodie. The jerseys. The hats. Any of it.” I need him to understand. “We don’t need you to buy us things. We like you already.”

His smile softens. “I know, Bunny. But thank you for saying it.”

“I like gifts!” Chelsea shouts from the kitchen, proving she’s eavesdropping.

“Tell her she’s my favorite.”

“I will not,” I reply.

You’re my favorite he mouths.

I press my lips together.

He tips his head down. “Does the jersey fit too?”

“Haven’t tried it on yet.” The phone in my hand dings loudly with a notification, reminding me it’s Mom’s phone. “Why are we talking on my mom’s phone?”

“Because you weren’t answering yours.”

“And when did you and my mom exchange numbers?”

“When I dropped off the gifts.”

I narrow my gaze. “And when did you drop off the gifts?”

“Over lunch.”

“So, you were here before our… meeting, and you didn’t mention it?”

Maddox shrugs. “We had to stay on topic.”

“Stay… on topic.”