Page 19 of His Reckless Freshman

“Ugh, I seriously hope he’s not that petty.” She rolls her eyes. “But who knows with that guy. Just… act nice anyway. It’ll only score you points.”

“Yeah.” I nod, swallowing as I look away from her and whisper, “Sure. Good idea.”

And now I’m wondering if this date is just one big mistake.

But Carina’s only one person, and there’s obviously not a lot of love lost between her and Kieran. What if she’s got it all wrong? What if Kieran asked me out because he does think I’m special?

I like that idea way more than the other option, so I cling to that thought as I say goodbye and head back to my dorm. I’m going to ace this interview with Ben and then have a brilliant date with Kieran… and then get my work published in the Nolan U Star!

Yes! Things are finally shifting in the right direction for me.

Maybe this year doesn’t have to suck after all.

6

BEN

I get to Marty’s at 4:20 p.m., and Jolie’s already waiting for me.

Of course she is.

I’ve been going back and forth all damn day on whether or not I should be doing this. And the second she spots me, I start to second-guess myself all over again. That enthusiastic smile and dorky-looking wave…

Shit.

My lips flatline as I weave around the empty tables to reach her.

I chose Marty’s for a reason.

It’s a twelve-minute drive from campus, the overpriced coffee is average at best, and hardly anyone ever comes here. There’s only one other person sitting at a table by the window right now. He looks to be an older guy, engrossed in a mystery novel while he eats a muffin that is no doubt too dry.

Okay, so I’m a slightly shitty person for suggesting this place, but I just didn’t want anyone to see us.

“Hey.” I take a seat opposite her, running a hand through my hair while she nibbles on the end of her pen.

“Hi.” Her smile has turned sweet and just a touch shy as she glances down at her notes, then back up to me.

“I see you found this place okay?”

“Yeah.” She tucks her hair behind her ear. “I was nearly late because I got a little lost, but I actually allowed plenty of time to get here because I knew I’d probably get a little lost, but then I talked to this really sweet lady, and she pointed me in the right direction.”

“You didn’t Uber here?”

“No. I’ve got an electric scooter, so I just jumped on that.” She grins. “My parents couldn’t afford to buy me a car, and I didn’t want to use up all my savings on one, so they went halves with me on that instead. And it’s so good… unless it’s raining. But I’m having fun whizzing around Nolan.” She laughs, and the sound is bubbly and kind of loud.

Man, she really does talk fast. I wonder if she’s even aware of half the words coming out of her mouth. I shouldn’t find it so… intriguing? But it’s like a car wreck. You can’t not look, right?

Clearing my throat, I shuffle in my seat and glance at the counter. “Do you want a coffee or anything?”

“Oh, I can get it. You’re the one doing me a favor by being here.” She jumps up before I can stop her, then spins halfway to the counter. “What do you want?”

“Actually, just grab me a Sprite or 7Up.”

“On it.” She spins back for the counter, and my leg starts to bob.

I’m tempted to pull her notes toward me and skim them so I know what I’m in for, but that feels wrong, so I mess around on my phone instead, scrolling Insta and liking the photo my sister Kelly posted of my niece and nephew. Too cute. I smile, then keep scrolling, watching a quick F1 reel before Jolie returns to the table with a Sprite for me and a strawberry smoothie for her.

“Okay…” She shuffles her notes around, then takes a sip of the smoothie, her nose wrinkling before she forces a smile and nudges the glass away from her.