Page 19 of Trusting Tanner
“Sounds good.”
He flashed her a smile and headed toward Country Cottage Pizza. An hour later, they sat in the park, nearly alone. The open, half-empty pizza box sat between them on the wooden bench.
“I have to admit. I was surprised to get your text tonight.” He finished his slice and then tossed the crust to the birds lingering nearby.
“Well, I was planning to stay home and study, but then my roommate showed up with some…friends.” She scrunched up her face. “I’m pretty sure she’s going to be tag-teamed before the end of the night, so I really had to get out of the room.”
His eyes widened. “Seriously? Tag-teamed?”
Juliana shook her head. “Of course that was the thing you focused on.”
He gave a lazy shrug then rested his arm along the back of the bench. “In my defense, that’s not something that comes up in everyday conversation.” He wound his finger in one of her curls then released it, smiling at the way it bounced naturally back into place, and he didn’t miss the way she subtly leaned closer.
“True. I sure as hell never thought it would be something I’d have to say.” She sipped her soda then set the cup inside the pizza box. “Thank you,” she said. “For doing this tonight. On such short notice.” She rested her elbow on the back of the bench and propped her head in her hand. “I hope I didn’t drag you away from anything important.”
He’d been hanging out with Jason, like he did every night, and when he’d explained, Jason told him to “get your fucking ass out of here and go get the girl.” A faint smile pulled at his lips at the thought of “getting the girl.” And even though he didn’t know her that well, he knew, almost immediately, she was one hell of a girl. He glanced over at her, and the sincerity of her expression floored him. He sucked in a deep breath, hoping to calm his racing heart.
“What could be more important than hanging out with you?” He winked, and she rolled her eyes, which made him laugh. “Really, don’t worry about it. I was just sitting home anyway.”
“Well, I appreciate you doing this. I couldn’t stay in my room a second longer.”
“Is your roommate really that bad?”
“You have no idea.”
“Then why don’t you move out? Or request a room transfer?”
“She’s really not as bad as I’m making her sound. She’s just a lot more social than I am, and she likes to bring guys back to the room at all hours of the day and night.”
Tanner nodded. “That’s why I moved out of the frat house. Too much socialization and noise. It was a real bitch trying to study.”
“Do you live off-campus?”
“Yeah.” He grabbed another slice of pizza, folded it in half, and took a large bite. “Jason’s in the pre-med program, too, so it works out well living together.”
“That’s cool.” She shifted so her hands were in her lap.
He watched her for a moment as he chewed and swallowed another mouthful of pizza. Her mood seemed to have soured, although he had no idea why. He took a long drink of his soda. “So, got any plans for Saturday night?”
“I don’t think so, why?”
“Because I want to take you out on a date.” He grinned, knowing full well she was going to say no. But if it got her smiling or talking again, he’d happily take the rejection. He tossed what was left of his pizza back into the box and wiped his hands with a napkin.
The corner of her mouth quirked up, and then she laughed softly, shaking her head. “Hanging out with you tonight has been a lot of fun, and I’m sure we’ll have a great time tomorrow night, too.”
“But?” He raised a brow, letting his finger wind around another curl.
“But…I told you. We’re friends, and friends don’t date.”
“Okay, so hang out with me Saturday night. As a friend.”
“I like you, Tanner. I really do.”
He groaned and let his head fall back. “That’s the kiss of death.”
“Stop.” She swatted him, her gorgeous, full lips tipped up in a breathtaking smile. “You know better than anyone how demanding this pre-med program is, and on top of our normal courses, I’m taking two extra classes this semester. I don’t have time to date.”
“Okay, so we’ll have study dates. Problem solved.” He should stop pushing while he was ahead, but he’d never been as desperate to spend time with anyone as he was with her. And the taste of said desperation was bitter and vile. Acting like an insecure, needy guy wasn’t going to get him what he wanted.
