Page 6 of Off Limits

She’s magnetic, and watching her flirt with the barista with the black hair pulled back in a man bun and thick-framed black glasses perched on his nose is a lesson in and of itself. Resting my chin on my hand, I watch her, trying to figure out what the secret is.

Autumn’s all smiles as she talks to him, projecting every ounce the sexy temptress that she is when she wants to be. And of course, he responds, his face lighting up under her attention. Before handing over one of the cups of coffee, he pulls out a Sharpie and writes something on it next to Autumn’s name. Ten bucks says it’s his number.

Yeah, if I tried to come off like a sexy temptress, I’d just look like an idiot and all I’d get is laughter, not a phone number.

Autumn comes back with a cafeteria style tray, her hips swaying more than normal, sets our drinks and plates on the table, then swishes back to the counter to return the tray in the appropriate place. Casting one last smile at the barista, she returns to our table and settles in, her flirty shine gone now that she’s back with me.

“You’re kind of amazing, you know that?”

She looks up, her lips closing around a bite of cinnamon roll. “Hmm?”

I gesture toward the counter with my coffee cup, swallowing the rich, creamy, caramel-tinged goodness. “That. The flirting. He gave you his number, didn’t he?”

She shrugs. “Yeah. So?”

Shaking my head, I pick up my own fork and poke at the outer layer of my cinnamon roll. “So the way you just turn on the charm for him and turn it back off when you’re back here with me. The way you’re so confident and he just hands over his number within seconds of laying eyes on you.”

Her brows pull together, her face troubled. “It’s not an act, Ellie. It’s not like I manipulated him. I just told him how much we love coming here and that I think he’s cute and asked for his number. I’m not putting on a show or anything.”

“No, I know,” I protest. “That’s not what I’m saying. I’m sayingIcould never just go up to some random guy and say, ‘Hi. I think you’re cute. Can I have your number?’”

She gives me a closed mouth grin. “And why not?”

I splutter and look all around. “Because normal people don’t just do that. And anyway, you have this, like, magnetic field that you turn on when you want to and everyone just gives in.”

Her smile turns almost sly. “Well, it doesn’t always work that easily. Not everyone’s that receptive. But I could show you how to do it too, if you wanted. The confidence. The glamour. It’s a skill. You just have to learn it.”

My eyes narrow at that assertion. “A skill.”

She nods, unperturbed by my doubt. “Think about it. In the meantime, tell me more about your night with Simon. Did you get his number?”

I snort. “No. And Cal would kill me if I ever asked.”

Another shrug. “Who cares? Cal’s not the boss of you, no matter what he likes to think.” She points at me with her fork. “You’re your own woman, Ellie. You’re an adult. You can have relationships with anyone you like.”

Sipping my coffee, I contemplate her words. Could I have some kind of relationship with Simon? I mean … I wouldn’t be upset by that. Still, though, he is my brother’s friend, which has the potential to make things messy. I shake my head. “You have a point, but that doesn’t erase the reality that sleeping with my brother’s best friend is kind of a shitty thing to do.”

Her face turns serious as she concedes that point. “That’s true. Okay, fine. We can keep Simon to the realms of fantasy, because a big guy like that …” She shakes her head, her gaze going abstract again as she picks up her coffee cup. “Well, let’s just say that’s averynice fantasy.”

I can’t help but giggle, and she joins in. Conversation shifts to our respective class loads and what we’re looking forward to or dreading this semester. As we’re finishing up, I look over at the display case showcasing the various baked goods on offer, trying to decide what would make a good thank you gift for Simon.

“You still hungry?” Autumn asks in surprise. “You just ate a cinnamon roll the size of your head.”

Laughing, I shake my head. “No, I’m stuffed. I’m thinking of getting something for Simon to say thanks for letting me drop in on him last night. Cal hustled me out the door before Simon was up and around, so I didn’t get to thank him this morning.”

Autumn gives me a long, searching look, then stands, plate and cup in hand. “Let’s go see what they have.”

CHAPTER FOUR

Simon

Another night at home alone. Cal’s out with a few other guys from the offensive line, celebrating today’s win. I should be out with them, especially after this morning, but …

I’m just not really in the mood. I went out with them for a little while, hitting the sports bar not too far from campus that we frequent. But after one beer, I bailed.

I jacked up my shoulder in the third quarter, which made a good excuse to leave early. I’m under orders to take it easy and alternate ice and heat every twenty minutes while I’m home for the rest of the weekend. And we all know that the sooner you get on that, the better it works, so no one gave me too much shit for rubbing the offending shoulder, paying my tab, and heading home.

But now I’m restless. Bored. The house seems too empty, even though I’ve spent plenty of time on my own over the summer.

---