“I’m not going out with you,” I say, standing. “I’ve sworn off guys, especially guys like you.”
“That’s plain insulting.” He rises to his feet, and I love how he towers over me. “You don’t know me.” He twirls a strand of my red hair around his finger. “Your hair is so pretty.” Leaning in, he presses his mouth to my ear. “Like every inch of you. Go out with me, Emery.”
I can feel my resolve crumbling, but I can’t give in so easily, even if my heart is currently trying to jump right out of my chest. Steely determination glints in my eyes as I fix my bag on myback and grab the flowers and my tray. “Convince me it’s worth getting to know you, and Imightreconsider.”
Uma keeps pace with me as I stride away from the table, leaving a shocked Zayn behind.
“Nicely played, my friend.” Uma smirks. “Nicely played, indeed.”
Zayn spends the next few days wooing me, and I show up on campus every day with a swarm of giddy butterflies fluttering in my stomach. He’s lavished me with flowers, cupcakes, and attention. Yesterday, he gave me a Kate Spade notebook with a largeEon the front, and I almost kissed him. I’ve had my eye on those notebooks for some time. I try to contain my smile as I approach the building on campus where all our classes are held. But it’s challenging when he’s standing at the bottom of the stone steps, holding a paper cup and bag out for me, like every other day.
“What did you get me today?” I ask, taking the goodies from his outstretched hand.
“Your usual latte and a blueberry muffin.”
I’m grinning as I take a sip of my coffee.
“Go out with me,” he asks, like he has on so many other occasions.
He pins me with puppy-dog eyes, and I’m no longer immune to his charms. “Okay.”
He blinks profusely, tugging on his ear like he can’t believe I’ve agreed. “Fucking A.” He fist pumps the air. Darting in, he kisses my cheek. “Thank you. You won’t regret it. Are you free after class?”
I was planning on going back to Wakefield to see if I had any more success in getting some of the residents to talk to me, but it can wait. “I am.”
“Sweet.” He waggles his brows before offering me his arm. “Allow me to escort you to class.”
“Is this okay?” Zayn asks, sliding his arm around the back of my chair as we wait for the movie to start.
“Sure.” I hope he didn’t hear the elevation of my voice or he doesn’t notice the way my chest heaves with the exhilaration of having him so near. So far, our date has been perfect. He took me for dinner at this gorgeous Asian fusion restaurant, and now we’re in the theater, ready to watch the latestAftermovie. He’s been a perfect gentleman, and he has wowed me with his singular attention, asking me a ton of questions about my life and my relationship history. Which reminds me.
“I told you about my dating history,” I say, twisting in my seat to look at him. “What about you?”
He shrugs. “There’s not much to tell. I haven’t had the time for girlfriends, and I haven’t dated much.”
I’m guessing he found the time for casual hookups though. “So, why me?”
His lips lift at the corners as his arm tightens around my shoulders. “I like you, and the timing is right. I’m ready to give dating a try.” He tweaks my nose. “With you.”
“Wow, you’re really selling it to me.” I turn my attention to the screen, hating that his words, and the insincere way he said them, are affecting me so much. It’s only one date, and I know he’s not my Prince Charming. In fact, Zayn is about as far removed from my fantasy as I can get. So, I don’t understandwhy he’s already burrowed his way under my skin. Why it really matters to me.
“Hey.” Gently, he clasps my face. “I’m not good at this shit.” His earnest eyes drill into mine. “Charming girls into my bed is more my speed, but I don’t want to do that with you.”
He might as well have driven another dagger into my heart.
“Shit.” He bites down on his lip. “That didn’t come out right. I mean, I want to do things right with you. It’s not just about sex.”
“Isn’t it?” I shuck his hands off my face. “You were all about the sex Friday night. You had no issue pushing me aside for another girl who was clearly willing to give you what you wanted.”
He threads his hands into my hair, clutching my head and forcing my gaze to his. “I was trying to wind you up, but I didn’t fuck Val.”
I attempt to wrench my head out of his hold, but he refuses to relinquish control. “You were buttoning up your jeans!” I hiss. “Don’t treat me like I’m a fool.”
“I let her blow me, but that’s all that happened.”
“Because you were interrupted.” I push his hands away, wondering why I thought going on a date with him was a good idea. He went out of his way Friday night to rub Val in my face. I should never have agreed to go out with him.
“Because I didn’t want to fuck her. Not when my thoughts were consumed by you.”
