“Seriously? That’s cool. I totally thought you guys were together. I get it now.”
“Just really good friends,” I tell her again, my face a hot mess because of the little white lie.
Meredith keeps talking. She doesn’t notice the deep stares Ryder and I can’t stop giving each other, or the fact we are holding hands under the table. “I like it here, but it’s much different from where I grew up in Boston. Things are more laid back here, like everyone’s on a slower pace.” That must be why she’s so animated and full of energy. She’s used to the fast-paced life of the big city.
“Crap. I’ve got to go. It’s almost ten thirty. My next class is five buildings down from here.” Just like her whirlwind persona, Meredith air kisses us and hurries away in a flurry of movement.
“She’s interesting,” Ryder comments.
I stack my paper plate and used napkins together. Ryder takes everything from me and dumps it in the trashcan near our table. When he comes back, I stand up not wanting our time together to end just yet. “I have an hour to kill before my next class.”
“I’ve got another two before mine.” He picks up his stuff and my bag. “I have an idea. Do you trust me?”
I want to tell him that I trust him with every fiber of my being. “Yes.”
“Then let’s go.”
As we walk out of the cafeteria, our hands seem to gravitate to each other. Mine reaches for his and he takes it. My heart makes that final leap and I fall all the way this time; effortlessly, completely, fall in love with Ryder.
Chapter 13
Ryder
The CU campus is laid out in a block pattern with buildings surrounding each block on all sides and green spaces between. Each block is dedicated to different academic themes. There are several blocks and clusters of buildings where all of the science classes are taught, the same for the two blocks dedicated for mathematics, another for the arts. That’s where I’m taking Elizabeth now.
“So where are we going?”
I’m having trouble keeping a straight thought with her beside me as we hold hands like a normal, everyday couple taking a leisurely walk. I’m half expecting Jay to jump out from behind some bushes and kick my ass, then grab Elizabeth and run off with her. A little paranoid of that actually happening, I quickly scan around us and then pull her inside one of the concrete buildings. Air conditioning blasts us as we enter and it feels wonderful, a stark contrast to the stifling humid air outside.
“We’re here,” I announce and continue to lead Elizabeth down a long hallway.
“And where is here? Wait.”
Elizabeth cocks her head to the side when she hears music. A lilt of a saxophone, the deep keys of a piano, the thumping of a drum set, and the reverberating sound of a woman’s voice going up and down a scale. Elizabeth’s face lights up.
“Is this the music hall?”
I don’t think she even notices that she’s been bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet since the moment we stepped inside. I knew she would love this and am proud I’m the one who has put the deliriously happy expression on her lovely face.
“Follow me.”
I check a few doors until I find one that’s unlocked and open it. We’re really not supposed to be here without reserving a room and getting a key but it’s a chance I’m willing to take. We’ve got about forty minutes before she has to get to her next class and I’m going to make the most of it.
The music room we enter has several different instruments placed along the walls and a piano in the middle. Elizabeth approaches the piano and runs her fingers across the white and black keys tinkling out a simple four-note tune. I walk over to where an acoustic guitar sits in its cradle and take it out. I don’t have a guitar pick so my fingers will have to do. I sit down on a nearby stool, propping one leg up on the bottom rung, and situate the guitar until it feels comfortable in my hands.
Elizabeth takes a seat on the piano bench. “Why didn’t you tell me you play as well?”
“Your dad gave me lessons growing up.” I strum a few chords of the notes to the song I want to play for her. “I’m not half as good as you are, though.” Her cheeks flush, the prettiest blush appearing, and she gives me a demure smile.
“You are so beautiful, Elizabeth.” Her face blushes more to the point it turns an almost fiery crimson. “I’ve missed the hell out of you.” I begin strumming a few measures.
She scooches the bench closer to me and crosses her legs on top of it, her rapt attention on my face as we gaze at each other.
“You know, you can reserve any of these rooms or instruments any time you want.”
As I softly pluck at the strings with my fingers, I continue talking. It’s almost as if my words are the lyrics to the music I’m strumming, and it captures Elizabeth’s attention so her focus remains entirely on me. Elizabeth inhales deeply, the beginnings of what I think is arousal in her eyes.
“This song is one you wrote me. You gave it to me the night of our senior prom. I have played it and practiced it over and over the past year, putting it to memory, hoping that one day I would see you again and play it for you.”
