We scoot in, and the boys take a seat at our table. I knew a booth was a bad idea. In truth, I thought Daisy and Piper would be the pair that would ruin our tête–à–tête, but a far more nefarious crowd has ruined the day. Not that Ava’s day is ruined.
Lawson scoots in uncomfortably close until his thigh is pressed tight to mine. That spiced cologne of his lights up my senses, and for a second I feel light and giddy. Dear God, I want to slap myself.
Harper leans over and gifts Lawson a high five. “You always have the best one-liners. You up for a run this weekend?”
“No can do.” He rocks those boulders he calls biceps into my arm. “I’m doing pro bono with this girl right here. I’m her new personal trainer.”
I glance up and meet with those dark green, laughing eyes. “Wow, I’ve never met a bigger liar.”Than me, I want to add but don’t. “And what’s with the cologne shower you took? I’m getting buzzed just sitting next to you.” Truth. The only reason I’m getting high is because he’s giving off toxic fumes.
He pumps out a dirty grin, those lids of his hang heavy, and you can practically see the lewd intentions oozing off him.
Ava and Grant are oblivious to our little exchange, because when Ava and Grant are in the same room, they’re suddenly oblivious to the rest of humanity.
“I’m not running with you,” I’m quick to inform him. “I’m plenty capable of getting into shape on my own.”
“You should do it.” Harper gives a nonchalant nod as she takes a swig of her drink. “It was Lawson who taught me a few valuable tricks to get my timing up to speed.” She snorts at her words. “Up to speed. Get it?” She shoots him another high five.
“You were pretty good without me.” Lawson reaches over and takes a sip of my coffee before sliding it back over, and I gag at the audacity. “But this one is a danger to herself and others. I’m serious. I’m even a little worried for the wildlife. I think a half-mile jog around the Witch’s Cauldron would be a good start.”
Harper groans as if remembering her first time with Lawson at the Witch’s Cauldron. Everybody knows the Witch’s Cauldron might as well be called the Witch’s Sex Pot. Any and every couple worth their Whitney Briggs’ merit has scalded themselves sexually in those semen-laced waters.
“Good luck getting me anywhere near that cesspool of carnality,” I grunt up at him. “And why, in God’s name, is your leg trying to infiltrate mine? Is this the Normandy invasion of Lucky Madden’s thigh?” I came this close to replacingthighwithvagina, but I happen to be in a public establishment—one I plan on visiting again within the next four years—sothighit was. “If you had a dime in your pocket, I could tell if it were heads or tails.”
Lawson offers up a disgruntled huff of his own. “Why isyourthigh pressed against mine? I’m on the edge—and, you, princess, have a good two feet of clearance on the other side.”
Harper flicks her straw in my direction. “He’s got you there,princess.”
“Neither of you has permission to ever call me that again.”
“Princess,” they shout in unison. “Jinx!” They break out into congratulatory laughter and share another annoying high five.
Hey? Maybe the reason Lawson is tap dancing on my last nerve is specifically because he wants to land Harper horizontal? It totally makes sense. Harper is basically destined to be a supermodel, and Lawson can’t seem to edge his way in, so he’s pretending to be interested in me. Why else wouldn’t he take her up on her offer? It’s the same lousy psychology that Daisy prescribed to Ava last semester when she told her to pretend she was into Rush.
I glance over to my bestie, who happens to be sucking face with her main squeeze, and frown. I guess the proof is in the Daisy Pembrooke pudding. I’m not Daisy’s biggest fan, but if all goes well for Lawson, his lips will be glued to Harper’s in a few months’ time as he tries to suck the living soul out of her.
Ava and Grant should really get a room, but considering our dorm is the closest, and I’m sort of craving my bed, I don’t dare suggest it.
Ava springs up. “You know what?” She drags Grant up with her and doesn’t bother taking her eyes off his. “I think I left your copy ofTheOdysseyup in my room. Let’s go get it.”
They speed out the door without so much as a goodbye—or a timeline of when I can expect to be reunited with my stuffed animal collection.
“So, what’s your news?” I scowl over at Harper. I suddenly feel the need to be entertained for the next hour or two.
She leans in with a deranged look in her eyes, an eerie grimace spreading over her face that I’m pretty sure she meant as a smile. “Justin and I are stronger than ever.”
“What?” I hate to break it to her, but in the future I suggest she not hype up this non-news worthy event. Harper and Justin take a break from one another every other week. In their case,stronger than everis a relative term.
“Come on, Harp.” Lawson kicks her foot under the table before landing his knee to mine, warm and weighted. “I know you. What’s the real news?”
“Wow, you really are a great big brother.” She averts her eyes out the window before leaning in as far as the table will allow. “Justin is at Briggs.” She just about mouths the words.
“Like visiting?” Spring semester started an entire two weeks ago. There’s no way she could keep him a secret this long. Secrets are not Harper’s thing. She’s one of those genuinely nice people who can’t help but spill the truth—over and over and over again.
“Nope.” She shakes her head with a knotted-up smile on her lips. “He showed up on Monday. He’s here for good. He missed a week, but he has the all-clear from his professors. It’s official. My boyfriend and I are on the same campus, and nothing and no one will stop us from having our forever.”
Her phone burps and spins on the table as if it were comically objecting.
“That’s him!” She reads the text before collecting her things and hopping to her feet. “Hot date in the library.” She bites down on her lip so hard it forms a cherry that demands to pop. “I’ll catch you losers later.” She gives a sly wink and ditches out the door.
