“Thank you, Mr. Williams,” she moaned after taking a bite and a shiver of pride went through me. “But, our sexy mystery stranger. Describe him again to me.”
“Tall, strong as hell, kind hazel eyes.” My pulse quickened with just a thought about him. I had never in my life enjoyed a random conversation nor liked grocery shopping like I had earlier. “His jaw line—I tell you, paintings didn’t have shit on him.”
“His hair? Dark or blond?”
“Dark, messy but styled. He had the scruff going for him, too.” I closed my eyes, replaying our conversation.I haven’t had one person affect me that much before. Ever.Why is it terrifying the hell out of me?
“Dark hair is my jam. And a beard? Butter me up and marry me.”
“You’re a nut.” I released a long, pent-up breath. “He towered over me. I love tall guys for some reason. And I could see the outside of abs from his shirt. Washboard.”
“Lady boner city. I hate you for not getting his number. It sounds like he would’ve gladly given it to you.”
“I have zero clue why I did that. But it felt right. If I never see him again, it’s a perfectly juicy story I can keep in my spank bank for years.” I joined her at the table and ate my portion of the pasta. “He was almost too attractive. Plus, you know how important the year is for me. I can’t afford distractions. No matter how damn good-looking they are.”
She scoffed. “Please. You’re not doubting yourself, are you? You’re pretty damn hardworking—I know you’ll kick ass. Screw your parents’ doubts.”
I cringed, unsure at her words. Every time pride filled my chest, insecurities snuck in and I doubted myself.Why did I think I could do this?“I don’t know.”
“Youdoknow. I know.” She put her arm around me. “Wasn’t he interested? Are you trying to play it cool?”
“Nah, the interest went both ways. He hid nothing with his heated looks and accidental touches.” I appreciated guys who made it clear and didn’t play games, stringing girls along.
“We are going to get hit on infinitely all year. The dynamic duo is back at it.” She wiggled her eyebrows at me really fast and I groaned in response.
“Not that again.”
“Oh yeah. I’m using you for your looks. I’m not above that.”
“I’m positive you’re not.” I thought about the shenanigans we’d gotten into in high school, and winced. We were quite the pair. My hair dark and curly, hers blonde and straight. My athletic curves, her tall, willowy figure. We had a reputation that some might consider bad, others awesome. I loved her to pieces and had had a dorky countdown until move-in day. Three years living with my best friend…hell yeah.
“You and Chris. The baseball player from our rival school. You were the talk of the town.” She just had to bring up the worst dating story of all time and I stuck my tongue out at her. “Even your dad—”
“Threatened to disown me. I know.I know. But, I wanted to lick him. Swoon-worthy boys make girls do foolish things. Myself included.” I sighed and batted my eyelashes. “Totally remember he had great hands, too.”
“Okayyy, weirdo. Did Mr. T have good hands?”
“Mr. T?”
“Mr. Target. Until we find out his name, he’s Mr. T.”
“I oddly like that.” The nickname created an awkward vision in my head. My mysterious stranger and the real Mr. T combining into one superhuman. I shook the thought away before it became more bizarre. “He had great hands and I have a feeling he plays baseball somewhere. He threw in as many baseball zingers as I did.”
“If anyone had the ability to slide into home with you, ten bucks it’d be a baseball player.” She chuckled. “I hope for both our sakes you see him again.”
“Your sake?” I arched an eyebrow. “Explain that.”
“I want to see your hunky specimen handmade by god for you. If not, I have no choice but to assume love is dead.”
“Dead, eh? What’s going on with you and Tanner?” I switched the attention from me to her. It worked like a charm, her face cheeks tinging red.
“Nothing’s happening, really. We’ve been friends for the past year or so, casually, but then all summer we began hanging out every week.”
“And?” I egged her on. “Clearly something’s there. I sensed it, saw it in action and frankly I’m hurt you didn’t tell me about it.”
“Callie!” Her face fell and I broke out into a laugh. “You were messing with me, weren’t you?”
“Damn straight, woman. I know you wouldn’t keep something from me. However, we need to come up with a plan for you and Tanner to get physical. Let’s get physical, physical.” I continued to sing the old song and Greta joined in with her squeaky voice.
