“Thanks,” she said with a half-smile. She shuffled out of the room and made her way to the library.
A few hours later, Kylie walked out into the fresh twilight air, inhaling deeply the scents of spring. Along the tree trunks and brick borders, daffodils and multi-colored petunias added punches of color to the college’s landscape. As she headed back to her dorm, she heard a male voice call out her name. She paused and turned toward it, a warm smile spreading across her face as she saw Ricky coming toward her. “Hey.”
“I’m glad you heard me,” he breathed between gulps of air.
“Did you run over here?”
“Yes. I saw you when you walked down the stairs. I was at the science building. I’d know your walk anywhere.” His eyes shifted down to her hips encased in her tight jeans.
Uncomfortable, she pulled her backpack closer to her side. “How’s studying going for you?”
“Terrible, except for my math and science classes. I know I blew the English paper I had to do in Jansen’s class.” He shrugged. “Want to grab a sandwich at University Café? I’m paying.”
“Sure, but I can only stay for an hour because I have to finish my paper for English Lit.”
Taking a shortcut, they crossed through the thicket of pine trees and, in no time, opened the glass doors of the college eatery. Even though she and Ricky knew the menu by heart, they stood reading it, their arms crossed over their chests. “What do you want?” he asked as he approached the counter.
“A grilled cheese with extra tomatoes and pickles.”
“You want to share a basket of fries?”
“Sure. I also want an iced tea with lemon. I’ll grab us a table.” She spotted a corner table for four near the window and dropped her backpack on one of the extra chairs. Several minutes later, Ricky came over holding a tray of food. She helped unload the tray, placing several napkins in front of him.
As they ate, he said, “I found out some information on that Marcus dude.” Kylie leaned forward, her eyes wide. “He’s from your town, Pinewood Springs.”
She sat back. “No. Really?He’sfrom Pinewood? I wonder where he went to high school.”
“Registrar records show he was homeschooled.”
“Oh. Maybe he found out I’m from there, and that’s why he’s been in my face.”
“Maybe. He’s definitely weird.”
“Damn, I never knew he existed until the past few weeks.” She took a bite of her French fry. “You’re right—he’s an odd one. I bumped into him over the weekend at the Grizzly Saloon. He came up to the table and just stared at me. It sorta creeped me out.”
“Were you alone?”
Kylie took a gulp of iced tea. “No. My friend Jerry was there.”
“Jerry? Who’s that?”
“A friend from home. I love the grilled cheese sandwiches here. They always toast the bread just right.”
“Is that the biker dude who hung out with you at the spring festival?”
“Um… yeah. I’m eating all the fries. Don’t you want any?”
“Did he spend the weekend with you?”
“We hung out, yeah. I’m serious about finishing up the fries. Last chance.” Kylie wished he’d stop asking her questions about Jerry. She didn’t want to tell him that she had the best weekend of her life. That her years of dreaming about him didn’t compare to being with him. That she gave herself up to the man she’d been holding out for. That was for her girlfriends to know, not Ricky. And she hated the way each of her answers made his shoulders drop a little more.
“Are you dating him?”
Dating? No, she didn’t think Jerry thought of her as his girlfriend. That thought made her eyes sting. “No.”
He slumped back on his chair, a relieved grin cracking his face. “I’ll order another basket of fries.” He rose from the table and headed to the counter.
Kylie looked out the window, staring at the headlights of the cars as they turned into the parking lot close to the café. Her phone pinged.
