“What?”
He feigns innocence as his brows tip up, but that infuriating smile is still firmly planted on his tempting lips. “Nothing,bestie.”
I’m waging an internal war with the excitement and adrenaline coursing through my veins. “It won’t work. Whatever you’re planning. You should give up now.”
He lifts his coffee to his mouth. “I don’t have a clue what you mean.”
I legit growl under my breath.
He chuckles, still grinning at me, and I realize it’s his superpower the same time I understand I’m far from immune to the effects.
Waggling his brows, he points at my half-empty paper cup. “Drink up before it gets cold.”
* * *
“I’m divorcing you,” I grumble at Ellen as we make our way through the packed cafeteria toward the table at the back. “I’m serious. You’re supposed to be on my side, not helping Garrick with whatever his nefarious plan is.”
“Of course, I’m on your side.” She giggles before looping her arm in mine. “You can thank me by making me maid of honor at your wedding.”
My mouth hangs open in shock for a few seconds. “You did not just go there.”
“Girl, the sparks were flying in the kitchen and the car. You cannot deny you two have chemistry,” she says, weaving a path around a group of obnoxious frat boys blocking our way.
A few guys whistle as we pass, their gazes roaming appreciatively over us, but we don’t acknowledge them. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t have time to date Garrick.”
“That’s bullshit, and you know it. I’m as busy as you, and Will has a crazy schedule too, but we’re managing. That’s what you do when you like someone andYou. Like. Him.” She levels me with a knowing look, pulling us to a stop a few feet away from the table where Garrick, Will, and a couple of other guys wait. “I saw the way you were looking at one another. Garrick is hot, he’s crazy about you, and Will says he’s the best guy he knows. What harm would it do to go out on one date with him?”
“It has the potential to get messy. What if I took a chance on him and it didn’t work out? That would make things extremely awkward for you and Will.”
She vigorously shakes her head. “Nope. You’re not going to use that as an excuse. It has nothing to do with Will and me. Our relationship won’t be affected whether you date Garrick or not.” She sighs. “Look, I don’t want to be an interfering old hag, so I’m not going to pressure you. I just think you could be missing out on something great, and I want you to be happy.”
“I am happy, Ellen. I don’t need a guy to be fulfilled.”
“That’s not what I’m saying, and you know it.” She tugs me forward. “Just promise me you’ll keep an open mind. That’s all I’m asking.”
“That’s asking a lot.”
She stops again, stabbing me with a serious expression. “No matter how much we want to map out every path on our life journey, there are always unknown turns and unforeseen dips in the road.” She squeezes my arm. “You gotta roll with it, babe. You never know where this path might lead, and you won’t find out unless you take that leap.”
ChapterSeven
Garrick
“Incoming.” Will sports a lovesick goofy grin as he nudges me in the ribs, tipping his head in the direction of the two pretty ladies coming our way. He quickly removes his backpack from the chair beside him so it’s free for his girlfriend. It’s the busiest time to grab lunch in the cafeteria, and the place is teeming with students and buzzing with the sounds of raucous conversation and boisterous laughter.
“They’re both hot,” Noah proclaims, in between monstrous bites of his burger, as we watch Stevie and Ellen make their way toward our table. They stop for a bit, locked in what appears to be an intense conversation, and I wonder what that’s all about.
On the other side of our table, Cohen is deep in conversation with two of his football buddies. The jocks’ table is behind us, and Cohen usually sits with them. Today, he has graced us with his presence because he’s curious to meet the girls.
Cohen is facing away, with his back to us, so he hasn’t noticed their approach. I already warned him to be on his best behavior, and I’ll kick his ass if he steps out of line. The odds are already stacked against me, and I don’t want him perving over Stevie or Ellen and giving them the wrong impression of me and Will.
“Hey.” Ellen smiles, waggling her fingers at me and Noah before claiming the seat beside her boyfriend.
Will leans in, planting a kiss on her mouth, and she visibly melts.
Dude is totally smitten.
“Hey, Stevie.” I attempt to reassure her with a smile as she stands awkwardly at the edge of the table, looking like she wishes she was any place but here. “I kept this seat for you,” I add, patting the empty space beside me. “Sit. I promise I won’t bite.”
