I let her win more times than I can count, but I’m pretty sure she knew that.
My lips twitch, and the curious smile on her face has me wondering what she’s thinking.
“Next,” the guy behind the counter calls.
I spin and shuffle forward, quickly placing my standard macchiato order before asking Dani what she’s having.
“You don’t have to buy me coffee.”
“I know.” I smile at her. “So, what would you like?”
Biting her lips together, she steps forward, hesitating for a moment, then ordering, “A double-shot latte with coconut milk, please.”
The man rings up the order, and I pay with my phone.
“Thank you. I’ll owe you one.” Dani smiles up at me.
“You don’t have to owe me anything.” Shuffling away from her, I wait by the counter, awkwardly waving goodbye to the two girls who were flirting with me earlier.
Shit, I really hope they don’t keep an eye out for me and try to pounce when I’m walking to class.
Wily and I had that once. And when I say pounce, I mean theyliterallypounced on our asses. Wily thought it was hilarious. Me, not so much. I like my women grounded.
“So, they’re not your type, huh?” Dani sidles up beside me.
I shake my head, resisting the urge to say anything offensive. It’s Dani, so I can probably say anything. But… I haven’t seen her in years, and who knows how much she’s changed in that time.
“Do you have a girlfriend or…?” Her eyebrows rise, and I have to shake my head.
“Nah. Still single.”
“I take it from the look on your face that you don’t love that idea. Have you come through a painful breakup or something?”
I can shake my head with gratitude this time. I’ve been through lots of little breakups. Nothing too major, because I seem incapable of going out with a girl for more than a few weeks before getting “cold feet” and bailing.
“Just haven’t found the right one yet,” I mumble. “And with graduation just around the corner…” I shrug. “Not sure it’s a good time, you know?”
“Oh, come on.” She nudges me with her elbow. “Any time’s a good time to fall in love.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “You speaking from experience?”
Her entire face crumples, lines quickly forming on her forehead as her shoulders deflate. “Only ever been in love once.”
“Yeah, I know.” I brush my hand down her arm, trying to comfort her. “Think you’ll ever let yourself go there again?”
“I want to.” She nods, her voice cracking. “I’m really trying. I know it’s time.”
“Yeah,” I whisper, dipping my chin and not wanting to look at her. Damn, I can feel her sadness as if it’s my own.
I know the pain she’s been through. I mean, I experienced a version of it. Atlas was like my other half. Going about my days, knowing he’s not on this planet anymore? Yeah, it sucks.
“Ty. ’Sup, man?” Grady walks into view, and I raise my chin at him.
“Hey, man.”
“You ordered already?”
“Yeah, I’ll be heading off to class in a minute.”
