“Your usual coming-of-age drama,” he said with a trademark grin. “Money problems, scheduling problems, women problems.”
“Women problems?” I raised an eyebrow, knowing full well he threw that in to get me to take the bait. And I would, for now. But I was the queen of circling back.
“Yeah,” he continued with a knowing smile. “As you might be aware, I’ve been into this girl since the start of the semester.”
“Since the start?” I hummed like it was news to me.
He nodded. “She’s got these beautiful dark eyes that are always curious. When she’s in the room you always know she’s there. You don’t even have to look up—”
“I know I can be quite loud when I speak,” I lamented.
“No.” He laughed. “I mean, sure, you have a naturally loud voice. But that’s not what I meant. You’re hard not to notice, Emmy. Hard for me not to want to be around.”
My cheeks burned, but I kept eye contact to ensure he didn’t know his words were turning me into mush. “I don’t see where the problem is. From my point of view, she seems equally willing to be close with you.”
“Sometimes, sure. Other times, I’m not so sure.” He paused a moment, brushing his hand over the stubble on his jawline.
I frowned a bit. “Sometimes I get scared. It has nothing to do with anything you did.”
“Good to know.” The back of his hand brushed my shoulder. His fingers felt warm on my skin as he traced circles on me. I closed my eyes for a second, remembering us in the conference room.
“Back to the escaping,” I whispered when I opened my eyes again.
He took in a deep breath. “Must we?”
“I want to see the parts of you that are covered up with the smiles.”
“The smiles are better. Trust me.”
“What if I don’t want better?” I wondered.
Dakota smiled. “Are you telling me you’re a bit self-destructive, Emmy?”
“Maybe.” I shrugged. “You know, I used to be a hardcore party girl. This time last year, I would have been stumbling out of my third club and on my fourth shot of something strong and terrible for my liver.”
“Why can’t I imagine that?”
“Because you’ve seen me in dinosaur pajamas.” I laughed.
Dakota gestured to the DVDs on the coffee table. “Have we come full circle?”
“I suppose so.” My laughter faded when his fingers brushed across my cheek. He trailed to my lips. I parted my mouth a bit when his thumb brushed on the bottom of my mouth.
“What happened last year with your ex, is that what made you step away from partying?” Dakota asked.
I nodded, still hyper-aware of his touch on my chin now. “I was a bit out of control. It’s always embarrassing to talk about.”
“I’m not going to see you any differently, Emmy,” he promised with a shake of his head. I closed my eyes and leaned into his touch when his hand cupped my cheek.
“Neither would I,” I promised. “If you told me about the parts you cover up.”
He stayed quiet for a beat, still running his fingers across my skin. I looked at him, studying how the look in his eyes seemed to be an indication of his mind going back and forth.
“Last year, a few guys on the team got hurt…” Dakota pulled his hand away from my face so he could rest his cheek in his palm. “Have you heard anything about it?”
I sat straight, giving him my full attention. “Saw some articles about the coaches from last year.”
“How deep down the rabbit hole have you gone?”
