COLEEN
When Hayden’s words sank in, I nearly dropped my phone. My heart slammed against my ribs like it wanted out, and before I could think, I was on my feet, racing across the apartment.
I barely registered that my socks slid on the hardwood, that my hair was a disaster from studying all night, that I hadn’t even checked a mirror. None of that mattered. The only thing that mattered was that Hayden was here.
I yanked the door open, breathless, and there he was.
Tall, broad-shouldered, dark hair a little messy from the night air, hands tucked into his jacket pockets. His eyes found mine instantly, like the world slowed down just for us.
“Hi,” he said simply, and it was ridiculous how the single word melted me.
“Hi,” I echoed, my voice embarrassingly breathless. “You’re really here.”
