Brooklyn laughed as she placed pepperoni on top of the cheese. “You’re not bitter.”
Anna sighed. “I think what we really need to talk about iswhyyou’re so upset about it. Because truth be told, youarealmost done. It’s really not that big of a deal in the grand scheme. You’ll still be leaving JRC with a Master’s in Creative Writing regardless of who your advisor is.”
Why had she called me? Ashton—excuse me,Professor Dupree—was the one who should be getting the lecture. The one who needed to answer the ‘whys.’ Not me. I glanced at Brooklyn, hoping for some solidarity.
But Miss Logic tilted her head, eyes bulging, agreeing with Anna.
“Why are you really upset, Tal? Use your words,” Anna coaxed as if she were getting a graduate degree in psychology and not veterinary medicine.
“B-because,” I sputtered. “He’s myfriend.” It came out sounding petulant. “You don’t do that to a friend.”
Brooklyn shrugged one shoulder as she scooped up a few stray pieces of shredded cheese. “I think it’s because he’s more than a friend.”
“Ding, ding, ding,” Anna sang annoyingly through the speaker.
My face heated. “He’s notmorethan a friend, you guys. I’m dating Madden.”
“Yeah,” Anna agreed. “And you want a slice of Ashton on the side.”
Now my face was boiling. “It’s not like that. I just…feel comfortable with him. You know how rare that is for me.”
“Comfortable? Is that what we’re calling it these days?” Brooklyn said. “Admit it. You’re attracted to him. All these digs you take at each other are simply a cover for what the rest of us call flirting.”
I shrunk back against the counter. “I am not attracted to him.”
“Oh, honey,” Anna said. “I think you are.”
I rolled my eyes but my mind was racing. “I know what it feels like to be attracted to someone, and I am not attracted to Professor Dupree.” His “new” title was already rolling right off the tongue.
“I dunno,” Brooklyn said in a disbelieving tone. “He’s pretty hot. And he’s got those shoulders. And remember that time we went to the lake and saw him without a shirt on?” Brooklyn fanned herself.
She had a point. We’d had no idea he was hiding that body under all his stiffly starched dress shirts. She and I had snickered about it all day. Called him Professor Abs-ton and Ashton the Action figure behind his back. Even with the farmer’s tan, it was wholly impressive.
Brooklyn snapped her fingers. “And there’s the matter of his dimple.”
I huffed. “Which you can’t even see anymore because of his stupid beard. Blue’s dimple is better anyway.”
“Facts,” Anna and Brooklyn said in unison.
“But Ash has the famous Dupree eyes,” Anna said.
Brooklyn snorted. “You wouldn’t be the first woman to get lost in them.”
Isaid nothing. They’d know I was lying if I tried to deny that. The same way the Earth orbits the sun, Ashton’s eyes were factually beautiful. In fact, they were so distracting they needed a warning label. I’d gotten lost in them way too many times when he was talking to me.
“You know you’ve thought about kissing him.” Brooklyn smirked.
I scoffed. “I have not.” But the barest mention of the idea was all it took for my brain to conjure an image of Ash still wearing the shirt he had on today. Suddenly, I was the main character in my very own fantasy. He smashed me against a wall, his mesmerizing eyes honed in on my lips. He leaned in closer, a little closer. His mouth crashed over mine. Passionately. His hands were in my hair as I tilted into him, moaning. My stomach fluttered like a hummingbird hopped up on espresso. This made-up kiss was infinitely better than the real ones I shared with Madden.
I’d barely processed that last thought when Brook snapped right in my face. “Earth to Tally.”
My eyes opened wide.
She looked at me. I looked at her.
Holy crap.
I’m attracted to Ashton Dupree.
