Page 1 of Capturing Clint

Clint sat quietly in the corner of the Campus Café watching his best friend, Beth, talking with her newest friend, Chrissy. She’d been called in as part of a student design team that would be revamping the Café. It was a common occurrence for Beth to take a particular student under her wing andfulfillthat parental role, as she was doing with Chrissy. She’d been a sophomore transfer from Colorado, and even though the two women had seven years between them, with Beth at age twenty-seven and Chrissy at twenty, they became fast friends. Chrissy definitely seemed mentally mature beyond her years, but physically and socially, she was still awkward and shy in a cute kinda way.

Not that Clint paid much attention to Christine ‘Chrissy’ Harrison. No, he had his own studies to contend with, and with one more term to go before graduating college, he couldn’t afford any distractions.

Distractions like her sparkling green eyes behind those too-big glasses on her heart-shaped face. Or her flowing brown hair that reminded him of chocolate fondue. Or the way her Kewpie doll lips puckered in surprise right before letting loose with the most uninhibited laugh that never failed to make Clint smile.

Not to mention her commendable services of tutoring upper-classmen or volunteering at the hospital Beth happened to tell him about.

Yeah, Clint didn’t need any diversions when he was trying to accomplish what no one else in his family had before—graduate from college. So here he sat, studying for the upcoming finals before winter break, trying to focus on his material instead of the activity between Chrissy and Beth. Roger, the manager, had entrusted Beth to oversee the project, and she was taking charge like a pro. Beingassistantmanager of the Café as well as taking a full-time class load, Clint was extremely proud of her.

Their friendship ran deep, like siblings, and thankfully there wasn’t the slightest bit of sexual interest to muck it up.

Beth was sexy in her own right, but the two of them just knew their relationship belonged squarely in the friend zone. They had bonded quickly during their freshman year due to being a handful of years older than their classmates, feeling more like parental figures than peers. Not that four or five years age difference should make the gap seem huge, but with the maturity level of many these days, it sometimes seemed like an entire generation span.

Clint couldn’t keep his thoughts from returning to Chrissy, and he wondered if he was being a pervert with his silent obsession. He was trying to wrap his mind around theirseven yearage difference. It shouldn’t seem like a big deal, given her level of maturity, but the fact she couldn’t legally drink alcohol made him feel like he was lusting after a child.

She’s no child, Clint scoffed. She’s a consenting adult.

One who exhibited child-like excitement as she pointed to something on herlaptop.Or gestured here and there with her arm as she roamed the Café, causing her sweater to ride up, and giving Clint a peek at her toned abdomen—

Holy smokes, was that a belly button piercing?

His eyes wouldn’t, couldn’t stray from the sparkling gem glinting from her mid-section. He was captivated by the play of light reflecting from the stones as well as the shift of her trim waist that led to the perfect flare of her hips encased in skinny jeans.

Only when Beth slid in front of him did his eyes journey elsewhere to see the smirk on her face.

“Heya,boy-o!Whatchadoing?” She grinned, turning her head around to look at Chrissy then back to him before grinning even more. She flopped down on the small couch, leaned in close, and whispered, “Just ask her out. You know you want to.” She leaned back with a smug expression on her mischievous little face.

Clint tried scowling at her but ended up chuckling when she threw a pouty scowl his way. “What I want is to study for my finals so I can pass these damn classes.”

“Uh, huh. Clint, you’re the smartest guy I know, and you’ve never had a problem with accomplishing your tasks. I have no doubt you’re already ready for those tests, and you could use some loosening up. Just ask Chrissy out. Take her to a movie, or ice skating, or—”

“No, Beth, I can’t.” He shook his head. “I mean, I’m graduating in the spring, and she’s—well, who knows what her plans are, or if she’s even going to stay in Idaho. She could decide to return to Denver and never look back.”

“So? You’ve got five months to figure it out. Why can’t you just have some fun while—”

“Excuse me, Beth?”

Chrissy’s timid voice pulled Clint’s gaze in her direction. She stood a few feet away with her laptop clutched to her chest like a shield. Her uncertain gaze glanced between him and Beth as she gave a nervous smile, keeping her lips clamped shut so as not to reveal the braces he was told she despised.

All Clint could see was a delicate bud just waiting to blossom.

Jesus!He inwardly groaned.

“Hey, Chrissy, have a seat.” Beth repositioned herself onto the arm of the couch and gestured with a hand between herself and Clint.

“Oh, no, no that’s okay,” Chrissy stammered as her face flushed. “I, uh, just wanted to let you know we’re all done with our assessment, and, uh, we’ll get the finished design back to you and Roger in a few days.” She gave Clint a quick glance before looking back to Beth. “I, um, I have to go, so, I’ll see you later?”

Beth stood, going to Chrissy’s side. “You sure you don’t want to hang around? I’ll be done in about thirty, so we can all go grab a bite to eat.” Beth smiled as she lookedbetweenClint and the bewildered Chrissy. “Sit and keep Clintcompanywhile I finish up. I’ll make it fifteen, then we’re outta here.” She gave a wink.

Before Chrissy could protest anymore, Beth guided her over and pushed her to sit. Right next to Clint. He sat up straighter and tried to give her some room, but she practically fell off the couch in her attempt to move mere inches away from him.

Well, okay.

Clint tried not to frown, but couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed at her distance. Well, she was shy, and tense, and was probably nervous, but did she have to act like she couldn’t stand to be next to him?

“I’m sorry,” she started, her voice soft and lyrical. “You look like you’re studying, so you probably want to be left alone.” Chrissy kept her eyes averted from him as she spoke. “I-I can leave you alone. I have things to do as well.”

When she made the move to rise, Clint held her arm. “No,” he said quickly. When her surprised gaze snapped to his hand touching her then looked up to his face, Clint jerked his arm away. He certainly didn’t want to frighten her. “I mean, stay, please. Surely you can join us for a burger or something, right? You have to eat.”

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