I can’t help but grin when I send the response, remembering the way Niki had completely brushed her off, not even bothering to give her body a quick glance.
CINDY:
Well, that says everything, doesn’t it? From what Sasha says, Niki is kind of shy. I can tell he’s into you, though. Just be patient with him.
ME:
I think I could do just about anything for him. He’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met. I’m in big trouble, Cindy.
CINDY:
Welcome to the family! I can’t believe we’re going to share a last name!
I laugh and shake my head, even though she can’t see me. Lying on my bed, I send her a reply.
ME:
Don’t start planning the wedding yet. We may have been interrupted when he was leaving, but we were in my room for a long time. He could’ve tried to kiss me if he’d wanted to.
CINDY:
Trust me, he will.
I text her a quick goodnight and then roll over, staring up at my ceiling while I think about the man whose presence still fills every inch of my room. I’ve been obsessing about him since I first met him when Cindy started dating Sasha. I’ve seen him a handful of times since then, but never alone, and never with the closeness that I’m craving, Tonight had been different. For the first time it had just been the two of us, but now I’m more confused than ever. I’d felt something between us, but I have no idea if he did. I’d thought for sure he had, but now that I’m alone I’m second-guessing everything.
Usually I’d distract myself with classwork, but I no longer trust George, and I don’t want to spend time working on a paperthat may or may not actually get saved. Deciding to do it the old-fashioned way, I grab my childhood development textbook, a pen, and some paper and start reading the chapter on cognitive development milestones.
Unlike a lot of the students here, I’d had no idea what I’d wanted to major in. I’d stuck with basic core requirements during my freshman year, and then over the summer the couple who lives next door to my parents asked if I’d be interested in babysitting their three-year-old daughter while they were at work. I’d jumped at the opportunity. Scotty and Dave waited years to be able to adopt, and I knew how nervous they were to leave Mei with someone new. After just a few weeks of watching her, I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life. I’d quickly set up an appointment with my advisor and switched to an early childhood education degree. I have my heart set on becoming a kindergarten teacher, and now that I know what I want, I’m determined to make it happen.
I end up studying for way too long, and by the time I roll out of bed the next morning, I’m exhausted and wishing I could sleep in. Knowing I’ll be seeing Niki is incentive enough to get my ass moving. Instead of just throwing my hair in a ponytail, I take the time to wash and dry it, and I even throw on a bit of makeup and choose a much cuter top than I’d usually wear to class.
We hadn’t set a time to meet, and when he doesn’t show up before I have to leave, it suddenly occurs to me that he might not show up at all. He might just decide to drop by later at some point. I try to brace myself for that possibility and how I’ll need to pretend that I can be laidback and chill about this.
I let out a relieved breath when I step outside and the first thing I see is Niki leaning against a beautiful black Porsche that’s parked against the curb. I’m not a very good actress. Casual nonchalance is not something I’ll ever be able to pull off aroundthis man. My heart is already racing, a big smile on my face, and I feel suddenly wide awake and elated by the time I walk over to him. I know I’m letting myself get too attached too soon, but I’ve waited weeks for this moment, and I feel like I’ve been patient long enough.
As soon as I’m close enough, he gives me a big smile. Even though he looks just as gorgeous as he did last night, I can tell he’s exhausted, making me wonder if he got any sleep last night at all. I want to pull him in for a hug, ask him what kept him up all night, but I’m fairly certain that would shock the hell out of him and possibly push him further away, and that’s the last thing I want.
“Morning, Van,” he says, pushing off his car and then opening the door for me. “Come on, I’ll drive you to class.”
“Morning,” I say and then slip into the buttery soft leather seat as he closes the door for me while I put my heavy backpack down between my feet. The mouthwatering scent of him mixed with what’s sitting in his console has my mouth salivating. When he gets in, he must see my starved look, because he grins and hands me one of the hazelnut coffees.
“I thought you might need some caffeine before class.”
I take it from him, and when our fingers brush, my eyes jump to his to find he’s already staring at me. The interior of his Porsche is already on the small side, but it feels even more intimate right now.
“I got you this, too,” he says, handing me a small bag. He gives me a crooked smile. “I already ate mine on the drive over.”
I peek inside and as soon as I catch a whiff of the bacon and egg croissant sandwich my stomach lets out a very loud growl.
My face heats up while he gives a soft laugh and starts his car. “I guess I made the right call.”
“You did. I usually grab something on my way to class, but this looks way better than what they serve on campus. Thanks, Niki.”
“Anytime,” he says, and that one word has me taking a big bite just so I can hide my grin.
I’m so busy chewing and working my way through my coffee that I don’t realize he’s taking me to my class without me having to tell him where to go. He drives around campus, leading me right to my building like he knew exactly where it was.
I open my mouth to ask how he knew, but he’s already reaching over so he can grab a bag from the small backseat. He’s so close I can see the dark stubble on his face, and that nose ring that’s going to be the end of me is in a very kissable range. It makes me forget about everything else.
