There’s a curious silence as the two of them size each other up. I roll my eyes. “See you on Wednesday, Trevor.”
“See ya around, Wildcat.”
Ryder takes my bag and drapes it over his shoulder. “Wildcat?”
“It’s a long story. I’ll fill you in later.”
My hand reaches down and I link my pinky finger with his as we walk, and Ryder stumbles.
“What?”
“Nothing.” Feeling unsure, I release my pinky’s grip, but Ryder grabs my hand back, this time lacing our fingers together. “So, coffee?” he asks. “I don’t have another class until one so I’m free for the next three hours.”
“Actually, do you mind if we get something to eat?”
Ryder laughs incredulously. “You can’t still be hungry after all of those donuts.”
I raise our joined hands and punch him with his own fist. “Hey! I ran ten miles this morning. Ten miles! I need at least another five thousand calories to make up for it. And I’m really, really hungry.”
“Student cafeteria?”
“Sounds good. According to my meal plan, they’re supposed to carry gluten-free cheesecake. And I want some chips and salsa. Better yet, I’m craving sweet potato fries. Oh, and a chicken lettuce wrap.”
Ryder grimaces at my food choices. “I can’t wait to see you try to eat all of that.”
“Challenge accepted, my friend.”
Chapter 12
Ryder
I watch in fascination as Elizabeth finishes off the cheesecake and groans. “I think I’m going to need a minute or twenty before I’m able to get up.”
“I told you.” I chuckle as she sticks her tongue out at me.
“It was worth it. So good.”
We’re sitting at one of the smaller tables in the student cafeteria near the back. Several people who know me have already stopped at our table, probably out of curiosity to see who Elizabeth is. I would too if I were them. Elizabeth is that stunning. So absolutely beautiful. As we walked in, several heads turned her way, mostly men of course, and I had to tamp down my jealous reaction to all of the male looks she was receiving.
Speaking of which, “Who’s Trevor?”
Elizabeth takes a drink of her iced tea and relaxes back into her chair. “He and I actually met a few weeks ago when I went to the beach for a walk. Remember the day I had lunch with Julien?” I nod. “That was the day.”
“He wants you, you know.” Why did I say that?
Elizabeth splutters her drink and wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. “I don’t think so.”
“He’s already given you a cute nickname.” He called her Wildcat.
“Oh, my God, no. I’m not interested. He’s relegated to study buddy. Nothing more.” That makes me feel better.
I decide to change the subject away from talk of Trevor. “Do you have any more sessions this week?”
Elizabeth had told me about the therapist she’s seeing twice a week. I’m glad she’s going. She seems to be having a lot of nightmares lately, many of them a mix of old memories and of the night she was attacked. Come to think of it, the night she called me was the same day of her first appointment with Dr. Clairemont. I don’t think any of us will ever be able to imagine the hell Elizabeth must live in now with no memory and having to start her life from scratch. I wish Jay would ease up with the pressure he puts on her.
For a brief second, a haunted expression flicks over Elizabeth’s face before it’s gone. “I go again tomorrow, and I have an MRI on Thursday.”
“Want me to go with you?”
