“That’s an interesting choice,” Cohen says. “What made you pick that?”
I fight the urge to snarl at him, which is unfair because he’s not hitting on her and he’s trying to be sociable, which is a big concession for a guy like Cohen. I’m pissed at whatever has transpired between them in the past, but I’m not asshole enough to blast either of them for it. I know Cohen isn’t any competition. If he’d been interested in pursuing her, he’d have done it already, so I wish I could snap out of this funk.
“My nana runs a garden center back home in Ravenna. Her parents set the business up in the nineteen twenties, and she took it over when they retired. I’ve been helping her out since I was a little girl, and I always find it peaceful surrounded by nature and plants and flowers.” She shrugs, sending waves of glossy red hair cascading over her shoulders, and my fingers twitch with a craving to touch the silky strands. “I guess it’s in my DNA.”
The awkwardness dissipates as the conversation picks up at the table, but I’m quieter than usual as I listen to everyone talking, too lost in my head to properly engage. Breathing a sigh of relief when lunch ends twenty minutes later, I gather all the trash from the table onto my tray and walk off to throw it away. I need some space to shake myself out of my bad mood.
So what if Cohen hooked up with the girl I’m crushing on?
It was in the past.
Everyone’s got a past. I know that. So why does this hurt? Why does it matter so much?
The normal me would be able to let it go, but Stevie has me twisted into knots, and I’m not acting like myself.
When I return, everyone is ready to go. “We’ll meet you out by the car at six,” Will says to Ellen before planting another kiss on her swollen lips. My buddy is infatuated in a way he hasn’t been before. From what I have seen, it appears mutual, which is good, because Will is a decent guy, and he doesn’t deserve to be jerked around if Ellen doesn’t share his feelings.
“Thank you for the smoothie and for saving me a chair, Garrick,” Stevie says as she slings her bag over one shoulder.
“No problem, and it’s Gar. All my friends call me Gar,” I remind her, desperately wanting her friendship, because if it’s the only way I can get close to her, I’ll take it.
She tilts her chin up, and a soft smile ghosts over her mouth. “I like your full name. If you don’t mind, I’d much rather call you Garrick.”
Now I know it’s not because she’s keeping me at arm’s length, I love that she calls me that. “I don’t mind.”
“Cool.” Threading her arm through Ellen’s, she waves at all of us before walking off.
“Gar.” Cohen steps beside me as we head off in the other direction, toward the rear exit.
“I don’t want any details,” I say, shoving my free hand in the pocket of my jeans. “But were you with her?”
There’s a brief pause before he confirms it. “Yeah, it was a couple of months into freshman year and—”
“I’m not trying to be an asshole, but that’s as much as I need to know.”
“Stevie is great, but I’m not going to hit on your girl. I know I’m a jerk at times, but I’d never go there.”
“I get it, and it’s fine.” I push out through the door, joining other students leaving the cafeteria. “And for the record, she’s not my girl.”
“Yet.” Noah slaps me on the back. “It’s only a matter of time before Cohen and I’ll be flying solo while you two are all wifed up.”
ChapterEight
Stevie
“Are you in a rush, or could we go inside to talk in private?” I ask Garrick the second Will kills the engine curbside at our apartment building.
Garrick slowly turns his head, his brownish-green eyes scrutinizing my expression for a few beats. I see no hint of gold in his irises today, and I miss it. He truly has the most arresting eyes. It’s no wonder I’m having trouble concentrating when he fixes his peepers on me.
“Sure.” He nods, and I release the breath I was holding as I climb out of the back seat of the SUV. Garrick was quiet at lunch, and quiet on the ride home, and I suspect I’m the reason for it.
I about died when Cohen turned around at the table and I realized who he was. I know I don’t owe Garrick any explanation, but I don’t want things to be strained between us. Especially when he’s been so sweet and thoughtful today. I wonder if he feels differently about me now he knows I engage in random hookups.
That thought shouldn’t send panic racing through my veins like it does.
But if he’s going to turn all judgmental, then it will help my cause. I won’t apologize for who I am or how I live my life. And I’m certainly not apologizing for something that happened before we knew one another. Especially when we’re not dating. I know he likes me, and I get it probably pisses him off I’ve hooked up with his friend. Honestly, if the tables were turned, I would feel the same. Which is why we need to have a conversation.
Will and Ellen have their arms wrapped around one another in the elevator as we make our way up to the fifth floor. Ellen shoots concerned glances our way as we stand silently side by side, the tension accelerating with every passing second, and I’m glad when we reach our floor and the doors ping open.
