Chapter 2: Senses Shared

About three seconds later, I just accepted the impossible: somehow, Caleb is sharing senses with my body pillow. And—cherry on top—I can hear his inner monologue now.

Caleb inhaled shakily, as if he was trying to talk himself down. “Uh, your…your body pillow is really cute. But you don’t have to hit it so hard… I mean, it might get hurt, y’know.”

I looked down and realized my knuckles were still pressed into the cat’s head, leaving a giant dent in the plush. If he could feel this, I probably just gave him a migraine. Oops. I quickly let go, feeling weirdly guilty, and tried to smooth the cat’s head back into shape.

He ran a hand through his hair, eyes darting away from the camera like he couldn’t meet my gaze. On the screen, Caleb’s cheeks went red—seriously, he blushed, right up to his ears. It looked wild on his usually cool face.

My fingers slid from the top of the cat’s head down its long, soft body, all the way to the floppy tail. Caleb’s expression shifted immediately—he looked like he was trying not to combust, gripping the edge of the screen. I could see a vein pulsing at his temple. Dude was about to lose it.

I acted innocent, feigning nonchalance: “What’s wrong? You look… uncomfortable.”

He clenched his jaw. “I’m fine, just… got bitten by a mosquito.”

His poker face was solid, but his inner voice was running wild:

[Natalie touched me.]

[So happy.]

[I love it when she hugs me. Hug me more!]

Love?

I stared at him, startled. The famously cold, untouchable Caleb Foster was this… sweet and desperate in private? I didn’t know whether to laugh or combust from cuteness. Crap, now I liked him even more.

I couldn’t help grinning, warmth blooming in my chest. I let my fingers gently smooth the cat pillow again, slow and soothing, just to see if he’d keep blushing.

“Don’t worry, I really like this pillow. I’ll take good care of it.”

He watched me with wide eyes, like he couldn’t believe his luck. The connection between us suddenly felt electric, making the small dorm room buzz with unspoken energy.