My lips twist and I try hard not to let my eyes drop to his body. “I haven’t decided yet. Want to come and sit down?”
With a thoughtful gaze, Jack considers my question before letting out a short laugh and following me inside. “Lead the way. I’m seeing this through.”
I’m laughing so hard, I snort obnoxiously, covering my mouth with my hand. “That’s not real, is it? You don’talltalk like that?”
“Try me,” Jack challenges, raising a brow, making me smile at his boyish charm.
“Oh-kay. Give me a second to think.”
He pauses when we reach the sorority house next to the hockey mansion, pulling me to a stop. Perhaps not wanting our time to come to an end.
We’ve been walking for the better part of an hour, chatting constantly, the smile barely leaving my face. In fact, we haven’t stopped talking since Pen introduced us a few hours ago. There’s something familiar about Jack. Despite us never previously meeting, we click. And that’s rare for me.
Leaning against the white picket fence of the Alpha Kappawhateverhouse, I ponder Jack’s challenge. Apparently, Australians can use the word “right” as a response to almost anything, and he wants to prove it.
“Got one. Did you know I’m auditioning for the role of Ophelia in a local production ofHamletnext month?”
“Yeah, right?” His tone lifts when he says “right” and I burst out laughing.
“Holy hell. It doesn’t make any sense and yet it does.”
“Told ya.” He winks.
“Okay. What about this? I need help running lines, I—”
“Righto,” he cuts in before I’ve finished my question.
“Right-oh?”
“Yep. I said what I said.”
My laughter echoes through the quiet night air, and I half expect one of the sorority girls to come out and scold me. They'renotthe partying type. It’s no accident their house borders the hockey team.
“You, Jack Bailey, are a funny fucker.”
I’ve learned so much in the last few hours that it feels as though I’ve known him forever. It may be surface level for now, but something tells me there’s more to Jack than meets the eye. And for some reason, I think I can trust him.
“Why, thank you.” He gloats, flashing me a teasing grin. “I try. It’s how I get the ladies.”
“Riiight.” I drag out the word and stare at him deadpan.
His jaw drops and his booming laughter follows. “Nailed it. I’ll make an Aussie out of you yet.”
“I’m looking forward to it. But back to you and the ladies. You know it’s your abs, right?” I run my hands over the ridges apparent through his tight-fitting tee, following his V until I reach the waistband of his jeans.
“I donow,” he rasps, shuddering slightly, his innocence a little endearing.
My phone rings before I can respond and I check the screen to find Pen calling.
“Excuse me a second,” I say as I answer. “Pen?”
“Mike is here to pick us up. Are you coming or did I do good this time?” My eyes flash to Jack, and the shadow of his smirk tells me he can hear what she’s saying.
“I think I’m going to stay out a little while longer. I’ll get an Uber when I’m ready.”
“Yes! I knew it. See you in the morning.”
I hang up, and Jack’s eyes lock on mine, a question in his gaze. A question I’m not sure I have the answer to. Because while I’m not at all ready to end our night together, I don’t think it will end the way Pen assumes.
