“This girl showed me pictures of you from last night, a girl kissing your cheek and you looking all smug. She said something along the lines like I won’t keep you and you aren’t mine.” She laughed, not with humor though. “I told her straight up you don’t belong to anyone and pictures can mean a lot of things.”
My stomach sank. I remembered the picture. The girl had plastered herself to me. It could totally be misread.Shit.I released her hair and put my head in my hands. “It wasn’t what it looked like.”
“I believe you. I do, really. You came to see me at midnight knowing you weren’t going to get laid. Actions speak louder.”
“You aren’t mad?” I asked, incredulously.
“I think it hurt a little when I saw it, but, no. I’m not. I told you, a picture can be construed a million different ways. Plus, you know how you said I have a smile just for you?”
“Yeah?”
She lowered her voice and whispered as she patted my leg, “You have a look you savejustfor me.”
“I have more than a look.” I took her hand and held it in mine. “Do you have plans tonight?”
“Hmm. I don’t think so. Why?”
“Go out with me,” I barked, sounding like a caveman again.
“Question or demand?”
“Sorry.Please.Will you please go out with me?” My heart raced. This was the first time I’d asked a girl out. I know I sounded like a douchebag the size of Michigan, but it was the truth. They asked me out and dragged me to places. I must admit I hated being the one doing the asking.
“I’ll think about it.” She released her hand from mine and picked up her tray. “I have to head out.”
“That’s it? You’ll think about it?” I asked, dumbfounded.
“The count’s full. You can’t expect a walk.” She walked away, leaving me with an open mouth and laughter.Fuck me.I’m so going to marry that girl.
Chapter Twenty-One
Callie
I had never acted so bold before, leaving Zade sitting there, but I hummed in joy. It would make the date much more sweet. I knew I’d say yes—I’m sure he did, too—but I wasn’t one to make things easy. I walked back to the apartment without any incidents, thankfully. The day had already wreaked havoc on my system and I wanted to take a bath for two hours and listen to some cool rock music.
Walking into our apartment to see Greta half-naked with a guy, not Tanner, around her, shocked me. “Oh, uh, shit.”
I backed out of the door and debated my next move. I needed to get into my room but did not want to see Greta’s ass planted against the counter. I recoiled and made a note to clean the hell out of that before I cooked next time. I’d give her thirty minutes until I’d cover my eyes and go back in. Luckily, I had my laptop with me and I’d find a coffee shop nearby to study.
I made the semi long walk to the Bean, a local favorite, and found a back booth. I ordered my typical coffee with peppermint and opened up my laptop to plan my following week. I had to fit the scheduled shadowing hours around my other four classes and the onsite training I did with Nicole. I still needed to call her.Now or never.I dialed the number and waited.
“’Lo.”
“Nicole, it’s Callie Williams.”
“Wondered when I’d hear from ya. I talked to Patz. You in?”
“One hundred percent.”
“I knew this’d work out. You have the brains and the backbone. This isn’t some easy peasy flirt-with-the-team job. It’ll suck sometimes.”
“My dad is a college coach, ma’am, and I’ve seen a lot. I can handle it.”
“Good. Come by my training room Monday. You have class at lunch?”
“Nope. I’m free.”
“I’ll provide the lunch. Bring your calendar.” She barked something at someone in the background.
