Reed bites back a smile. “Sorry if I’ve offended you. Money was really tight for me in college. I waited tables and counted my lucky stars whenever I got a big tip. I just wanted to pay it forward.”
Oh.
Well.
That was a pretty nice response.
And now I feel like an ungrateful bitch.
“Oh, yeah, thank you again,” I say lamely. “Like I said, Marcus and I both appreciate your generosity a lot.” I glare at Marcus, feeling annoyed he pushed me into making that embarrassing speech. “Right, Marcus? Reed has been incredibly generous, and we both appreciate it.”
Marcus presses his lips together, clearly pissed.
I pat Marcus’s shoulder. “I’m good, okay? I’m going to head off to enjoy this unexpected time off now. You should do the same.”
Marcus looks heartbroken, but, after visibly recalibrating, he tells me to have a good time and stalks away with his big tips and unexpected two hours off.
“Are you two more than friends?” Reed asks.
“No.”
“Much to his disappointment, I’m sure.” He rubs his hands together. “But enough about him. Are you ready to head to my castle now, Cinderella? The clock has struck midnight, and your carriage?—”
“Georgie!”
Oh, for the love of fuck, what now?
I turn around and palm my forehead. It’s Bryce McKellar. The football star and Cling-on. The momma’s boy who supposedly started believing in love at first sight when he saw me. He’s here. And striding toward me with a bright smile on his face.
“Bryce,” I gasp out, my heart rate spiking. “What are you doing here?”
Bryce hugs my stiff body. “You said you were working tonight, so I came by to say hi. I thought we could hang out when you get off.”
I bristle. Bryce already asked me to hang out after work tonight, when I bumped into him on-campus, and I told him it wasn’t going to work out.But he came here, anyway?
Bryce motions vaguely behind him. “I’m here with some teammates, so don’t mind me until then. I can see you’re busy... ” His eyes drift to Reed and light up. “Hey, you’re Reed Rivers!”
“And you’re Bryce McKellar,” Reed replies smoothly, extending his hand. “I’ve got season tickets. Congrats on last season. I can’t wait for this upcoming one.”
“Thanks.Wow. My sister is obsessed with you, man. What a trip.”
“Your sister’s a musician?”
“An amazing singer-songwriter. She plays piano. She’s two years younger than me—going to USC, actually.”
“Oh no. Yours is a house divided.”
Bryce chuckles. “Yeah, she’s a filthy traitor. But we still love her. Just barely, though.” He chuckles. “Hey, how can I get my sister’s music to you? You’d go crazy for it. She’s the next Beyoncé.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t accept unsolicited demos, Bryce. No exceptions. But, as a favor to you, and only you, so don’t tell anyone, I’ll check out your sister’s Instagram when I get a free minute.”
“Really? Wow. Thanks!”
“Your sister’s music is posted there?”
“Yeah. She always posts her stuff there.”
Bryce tells Reed his sister’s handle while Reed makes a note on his phone. And then, Reed shakes Bryce’s hand and says, “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a hot date with a gorgeous woman.”
