“She’s his kid, too. It sounds like you almost killed yourself taking care of her alone. He owes you both.”
I silently agreed with a shrug, not wanting to taint a nice afternoon with the whole one-night stand and not telling her father she existed story.
“So, what about you? What are you studying? I thought you lived in Berman Hall, but I never saw you after that day.”
“I was helping a friend move in when I almost knocked you over. I was beginning to think you were an illusion until I saw you at Night Owls.”
I froze, unable to hide a cringe. “I remember.”
“Next time you want in on pool, just say so.”
"Anyway,” I sighed, rolling my eyes and hoping he didn't notice the blush I knew was creeping on my heated cheeks, “you’re not a culinary student, so—”
“No, I’m an IT grad student. I wound up working the test kitchen since all the IT jobs were taken. It’s easy work, which is great since this last year is a bitch.”
“Until culinary students like me mosey in and ruin your night?”
“You didn’t ruin my night. You were the highlight of my day.” His eyes found mine as the air in the coffee shop thickened. Or maybe the air just thickened betweenus.
Nope, nope. This was coffee. We could talk and be friendly but that’s it.
“Drew, listen . . . I’m . . . still trying to figure things out. I haven’t been just Sara in a long time. So long, I don’t even know who she is.” I chuckled to myself. “I’m not ready for any—”
“Are you ready for a friend?” A soft smile lifted the corners of his lips. His lush, full lips. Any female on campus would kill to be in my seat. It all seemed unfair. What was he doing wasting time with me?
“I’d like that. Although, you’ve only had a peek at the hot mess I am. I’m still learning basic socialization.”
“I can teach you. I convinced you to stay, didn’t I?”
I laughed at his cocky smirk. “Are you sure you want to burden yourself with having a friend like that?”
His grin grew wider.
“I can handle you.”
My mouth parched at the husky rasp of his voice. I took a long, shaky sip of lukewarm coffee.
But can I handle you?
Sara
“EXCUSE ME,” Iclipped at the redheaded bombshell perched on the test kitchen sign in desk. I was already in a pissy mood thanks to my lack of sleep last night and screwing up in class earlier today, most likely because of the aforementioned lack of sleep. Two hours of overtime was hard to resist, especially when I needed every cent. But when you have to wake up for an early class and be ready to learn something, I suppose rest has its importance. Over the past nine years I probably averaged about three to four hours of sleep a night, but the game was different now. Or I was just old and couldn’t keep up. My jaw ticked at both the thought and this bimbo who wouldn’t move.
She peered at me with wide, mascara-drenched eyes. “What? I’m waiting for Drew.”
Of course, she was.I let out a sigh and ignored the urge to push her off the desk and right onto her perfect, young ass. Drew and I were friends and a girl waiting for him in the test kitchen was not my problem or my business, regardless of the rancid taste it left in my mouth. A decade ago, I would’ve been “waiting” for Drew, too, although not as brazenly or obvious.
“Sabrina,” Drew groaned. “I told you before, stop sitting on the desk.” Drew didn’t seem happy to see her. He scoffed in irritation as he dropped his bag next to the desk.
“Well, I was here early, and you weren’t here.”
“There are stools at each station to wait, and you’re covering the sign in sheet.” He jutted his chin toward the clipboard she was covering.
“Sorry,” she whispered as she moved off the desk in a slow and seductive slide, like one of those game show models my grandpa used to love on thePrice is Rightwhen I was a kid. I remembered how fake and forced it seemed and even while playing with dolls on their living room floor, I would roll my eyes. Maybe I was cynical and salty from birth. Drew seemed as unimpressed as I was as he picked up the board and handed it to me.
“She can’t take a hint,” he whispered with a half-smile as his gaze slid to mine. “Nice to see you, Sara.”
I grabbed the board, letting a smile pull across my lips as I scribbled my name and the time.
