“Marketing.” I focused on his generous lips and the hint of stubble surrounding them. What would it feel like to kiss him again? He’d always been an amazing kisser. “How about you?”
“Psychology.” He chuckled. “I don’t know what I’ll do with it, but it interests me.” His gaze followed a couple as they left the coffee shop. “I’m headed into the draft in the spring. I’m hoping for an NFL contract.”
“With the way you played on Saturday, you’ll get one.” What the hell did I know about football? I was blowing smoke up his ass. Why? It’s not like I needed to compliment him. I sipped my coffee, the spicy pumpkin mixing with cream on my tongue.
“You still love pumpkin spice.” A sly grin crept across his lips. “I’ll bet you only get them when you’re treating yourself. What’s the occasion?” His grin grew wider.
Not being weak and getting your phone number?With a shoulder shrug, I said, “Nothing, I just hadn’t had one for a while and wanted it. I’m not a gymnast anymore, and I don’t have to watch everything I put in my mouth.” I twisted my lips. “Well, not as much.”
“Yeah, you look like you’ve filled out.” He winced. “I mean…”
“My body fat percentage is about two percent higher than when I was competing in gymnastics.” And I wasn’t sad about it. It was nice to eat burgers and shit occasionally. And sugary coffees, which…I drank some coffee.
“Why did you switch to cheer?” He ran his index finger around the lid of his cup.
“My ankle was giving me problems. It became chronic, and I had to keep it taped whenever I practiced or competed.” I freed a long sigh. “It’s not like I was an Olympic hopeful. I never planned on competing after college.”
“So why cheer?” He sipped his coffee.
“My roommate is in cheer, and she suggested it.” I sat back inmy chair, forcing my body to relax. This wasn’t so hard. We could be civil. “They needed more tumblers, so I tried out. She’d coached me first. But I got in.”
“Cool.” He nodded, fixating on me. “When did you come to ASU? Have you been here the entire time I have?” His brows dipped.
“No, I went to community college and got my associate degree first.” I didn’t have the full-ride scholarship he would have had. “I came here last year and found Grace on the message boards, looking for a roommate. We hit it off right away.” And a dude might have had a problem with my sexuality.
Furrowing his brows, he twisted his drink on the table. “I can’t find you on social media anywhere except on the ASU Spirit Squad accounts.” His gaze rose to mine.
My chest twinged. Fuck, I’d have to tell him the truth. “I blocked you after what happened. I didn’t want to know anything about you.”
Flinching, he gave me a slow nod. “Yeah, okay. I guess that explains it.” He sipped his drink. “Think you could unblock me now, or is it too soon?” A thin-lipped smile teased his mouth.
“I suppose so.” Shit, might as well get his number from Grace too. How would I keep from looking at his social media accounts? I drank more coffee, the caffeine buzzing inside me. “I’m still thinking about things.”
“You are?” He leaned back in his chair and combed his fingers through his dark bangs. “Does that mean there’s a chance?” He focused on my mouth.
My stomach fluttered. Should I ask what he meant this time? “A-a chance for what exactly?” Narrowing my eyes, I clenched my coffee cup. Maybe I should have played stupid.
“A chance for us to become friends, maybe more?” The corner of his mouth ticked, and under his breath, he said, “More would be better.”
My brows snapped up. “More, like you want to beboyfriends again?” Fuck my mouth. Why did I have to blurt that out?
Shrugging, he said, “We don’t have to be boyfriends right away, but maybe just date? Start over?” His forehead wrinkled. “I still have?—”
“I know, Eli.” With a soft scoff, my gaze darted across the table, and my heart warmed. If I heard him say it again, I’d give in. I knew it. I had to stop this.
“Okay, then let’s be friends.” His lips bowed down. “It’s obvious you aren’t ready for more. But maybe I can change that.” He glanced at the counter, where a clock rested on the wall. “Shit, I have to run to class.”
Had we been sitting here for an hour already? “Okay. Guess I’ll see you around?”
“Yeah.” He stood and hoisted his backpack over his muscled shoulder. “Hug?” He held his arms out.
Fuck. “Sure.” Rising, I fell into his wide chest, his arms surrounding me in warmth, his cologne stirring memories. My heart fluttered like a wild bird as I wrapped my arms around his waist. He was so big compared to me, at least seven inches taller. As my body melted into his, I rested my head on his chest.
He sniffed my hair and tightened his hold on me. “It feels so good, doesn’t it?”
It did, but I couldn’t admit it. “Don’t you have to go?” I released him and stepped back.
“Yeah.” Looking around him, he plucked his drink from the table and gave me a warm grin. “Let’s have lunch or dinner sometime. My treat. Just let me know when you’re available. You know where to get my number.” With a quick wag of his brows, he strolled out the door and into the sunshine.
