I flip the book over, front-cover guy beaming back, and I smack Lewis with the spine. “Fuck off, dumbass. It’s not porn. It’s research. It’s basically this bible for impressing girls.”
“Wait, seriously? So what does it say?”
“I just started it, but I promise to share the wisdom.”
He slaps his knees. “Okay! I’m out. Call me when things get interesting.”
I laugh as Lewis heads for his room, but when I catch Adam’s gaze, my smile fades.
“Since when do you need help picking up girls?”
I give him my usual nonchalant shrug. Scratch that—I exaggerate it, hoping to throw him off. This guy must have been CIA in a past life, or a psychic, or possibly even both.
“Just a little self-development. You gotta keep your skills sharp, man. Seriously, try it sometime. That way, when youdoeventually manage to sleep with a girl, you’ll blow it out of the park.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Nobody wants to end up like those losers with their lame pickup lines.” I pray I sound halfway convincing. “You need to keep things fresh, you know? Girls these days have high standards. So, I’m just brushing up.” I smile. “Take it from a pro.”
Stop fucking talking, Don. The first rule of lying is keep it simple.
By the look on Adam’s face, I’m pretty sure he’s not buying a single word I’m saying. I cringe inwardly and pick the book up, hoping I can transport myself away right now.
But this book is hella boring. Zero useful intel, I decide, and I end up skimming every chapter. The sex scenes are decent, though. I wasn’t expecting it to be as good as actual porn, but the more I read, the hornier I get. I’d say the scenes are weirdly almost hotter than porn, actually.
I skim through three quarters of the book, and when my dick can’t take it anymore, I make a beeline for my room.
Fifteen minutes later, I reach for the book again, cursing myself. This time I have to focus—sex isnotwhat I’m looking for here. But no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to take in the words.This is bullshit!
A couple of pages later, I officially give up. What I need is one-on-one tutoring here, and as I drift off to sleep, I start planning stage two of Operation Carrie.
TO KICK OFF THE WEEKon a productive note, I corner Carter and grill him for intel. I need insights so I can launch the next step of my master plan—and since his girlfriend is Carrie’s roommate, he’s prime source material.
I manage to get my target’s schedule out of him.Excellent. Now I have everything I need to casually “bump into” her somewhere in the arts and science block.
I spend the next five days treating her like a queen. Opening doors, even holding out a napkin when she gets sauce on her chin. And if I weren’t afraid she’d slice my shins, I’d probably cut the damn apple she eats every day at lunch for her.
I buy her a new copy of the book I messed up, too—my way of saying sorry for destroying her property. That earned me my first tiny hint of approval—a quick, satisfied smile. In return, I got a morsel of advice.
“You should go to class more, instead of following me around like a lost puppy. Girls love a smart guy.”
I’m not dumb. I know it’s her way of telling me to beat it, but the point is, day by day, she’s slowly dropping her guard. And she can serve up those vicious one-liners all she likes—I’m not going anywhere.
WHERE THE HELL IS SHEhiding? Today sucks. I’ve scoured SHU’s sprawling campus, but my future tutor is nowhere to be seen.
Granted, SHU is huge, and between my Campus Driver runs, personal training, and actual classes, I don’t have time to play detective too much. By the time late afternoon rolls around, I’m stumped. Maybe she skipped class? I discard the idea immediately. That’s not Carrie’s style, and anyway—she’s never avoided me before. Why start now?
The next day, there’s still no sign of her. Okay, so now I’m worried.
When I spot Becca leaving the library, I practically sprint at her.
She slips her shades down with a manicured hand and shoots me a smile.
“If you’re looking for Lane, I just saw him with Lois in the medicine section.”
“Actually, I’m looking for Carrie.”
“Really?” She pouts. “How come?”
