Free living covenant 03 - eternal covenant by Amanda M. Lee Page B

That’s how I recognized it.”
    “How do you know you weren’t just having the same dream as me?” That’s plausible, right?
    “Because I felt it from your point of view,” Aric replied. “When I dream about the day we met I always try to think of ways that I could’ve been more suave and debonair. What I just relived was from your point of view. I knew what you were thinking.”
    Well … that was embarrassing. “Oh … um … hmm.”
    “Don’t worry,” Aric said, smirking. “It was cute. I especially liked the part where you thought Covenant College grew hot guys on trees.”
    “I don’t understand,” I admitted. “I … how could we share a dream?”
    “You’re magic, Zoe,” Aric said. “I think you let your guard down when you were sick. I was holding your hand and … it happened.”
    “Are you saying I have the ability to draw you into my mind?”
    Aric shrugged. “Maybe.”
    “Okay, I’ll play,” I said, licking my lips. “What am I thinking now?”
    “You’re thinking that I’m handsome and you’re embarrassed,” Aric answered, not missing a beat. “I don’t need to be a mind reader to know that.”
    “Uh-huh.” I still wasn’t convinced.
    “Do you feel well enough to move to the bed?” Aric asked. “I’m too old to sleep on the bathroom floor.”
    “You didn’t have to sleep with me the first time,” I grumbled, getting to my feet. “Hold on.”
    Aric patiently watched as I brushed my teeth and gargled mouthwash before leading me to the bed. He settled us both, making sure I had a pillow propping up my head before cuddling behind me. “Try it again,” he prodded.
    “Try what?” I didn’t want to unleash my frustration on him, but my patience was at an all-time low – which is saying something, because patience is the one thing for which I’ll never be known.
    “Pick a memory,” Aric instructed, rubbing the back of my neck. “Relax. Let go. Pick a memory. I want to see if you can do it on purpose.”
    “I think this is ridiculous, Aric,” I muttered, although I squeezed my eyes shut. “I’m tired. I need to sleep.”
    “Then go to sleep,” Aric prodded. “Try to find a good memory before you do, though. Make it fun.”
    “You’re unbelievable,” I grumbled. “It was a coincidence that we dreamed the same thing.”
    “I don’t believe in coincidences,” Aric said, his voice a low murmur. “Go to sleep. Remember something fun.”
    I RECOGNIZED IT RIGHT AWAY.
    “Aric?”
    He didn’t answer. Did that mean he wasn’t here?
    “So what’s going on?” Aric asked, as he looked me up and down after I climbed into his truck. “You look like you haven’t slept in weeks.”
    “Thanks.”
    “I didn’t mean… .”
    “No, that’s just what every girl wants to hear.”
    “Are you still upset about last night?”
    “Yes ... no ... I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it.”
    “Then what’s wrong?”
    I launched into a recitation of what had happened since I had left him the previous night. When I was done, I couldn’t help but notice that he didn’t look nearly as upset as I felt. In fact, his shoulders were shaking with silent laughter.
    “It’s not funny.”
    “Girls, I swear.”
    “What?”
    “This is only a problem with girls.”
    “What is that supposed to mean?”
    “It’s just that you like drama.”
    “I don’t think it’s funny,” I said. “Paris isn’t speaking to me. Laura is a mess. Brittany is sitting there and judging me in her little matching sweater sets. It’s a nightmare.”
    “It will blow over,” Aric said dismissively.
    “What if it doesn’t?”
    “Paris seems like a reasonable person. She just needs some time to calm down. Besides, she can’t expect you to just stop being friends with Laura because she had sex with her ex-boyfriend.”
    “Would you be fine with one of your friends having sex with your ex?” I asked pointedly.
    “I guess it depends on the ex,” Aric said.
    I narrowed my