Page 19 of Stay
Just not very often. I’ve just transferred in and I’m not the type ofgirl who goes out of her way to make new friends. Sure, I hang out with Brooklyn. And I reluctantly go out when she needs a wingman…or wingwoman, as the case may be.
As for hitting up all the fraternity and off campus parties…or, in other words—hanging out, drinking myself silly with a crowd of strangers, and screwing around with random guys I’ll never speak with again?
Nope. I don’t do that.
Not anymore.
I blink, attempting to shake off the icy cold memories that are slyly wrapping themselves around me.
That’s not a road I’m willing to go down again.
“Cassidy?” Cole reaches out, tentatively stroking my hand with gentle fingers. “Are you all right?” I stiffen, waiting for the thin threads of panic to suffocate me.
When I realize it’s not going to happen, I force the stiff corners of my lips to rise. “I’m fine.”
For a second time, I slip my hand from his and focus on gathering up my books before shoving them into my brown leather bag. Refusing to make eye contact, I shoot to my feet. “Dinner sounds great, but I really need to get moving. Sorry. Maybe next time.”
Little does he realize there will never be a next time.
For someone so large, he’s surprisingly agile as he rises to his feet and towers over me.
“You need more than a protein bar if you’re going to get any work done at the library. You’ll probably end up with a killer headache if you don’t eat a decent meal. I promise we’ll find something fast so you can hit the books.”
Indecision floods through me as I bite down on my lower lip. My gaze slides to him as I silently weigh the consequences of spending more time alone with him.
He’s dangerous.
He makes you feel things you aren’t ready for.
“Okay.” The word is out of my mouth before I can stop it. “But thisis not a date,” I add. “It’s just like you said, we’re two people grabbing something to eat.”
It doesn’t mean anything.
My belly rumbles again as if re-solidifying my decision.
A satisfied smile curves his lips upward. “You’re finally admitting that we’re friends?”
I glare but can’t summon any real anger toward him. “Don’t push it,” I mutter.
With a grin, he holds the door open for me. “Right.”
As we walk out of the math tutoring center, I say goodnight to Lisa. She waves back, her eyes crawling all over Cole. I give him a little side-eye, wondering if he’s aware of the effect he has on the opposite sex. I remember the girl we ran into last Friday while walking to class, and the other one who’d waved frantically at him in Psychology.
Cole seems to be a fan favorite with the girls at Western.
They can have him as far as I’m concerned, because I have zero interest in starting anything with him. Even if he’s dreamy in the looks department, smells delicious, and has dimples that make my panties flood with heat.
I almost wince.
He smiles at Lisa, giving her a polite nod but nothing more. There is absolutely nothing flirtatious about his manner. No appreciative or lingering looks. In fact, there’s no checking out of any kind going on, which is strange because Lisa is super cute with long dark hair, blue eyes, and gravity-defying boobs.
And Cole doesn’t even blink in her direction.
From the slight frown marring Lisa’s pretty face, she doesn’t understand his reaction either.
I almost wish he’d checked her out in front of my face. It would make everything so much easier. When it comes down to it, I don’t want to like Cole. There’s already way too much to like about him. I can practically feel myself getting sucked in by him and I’m still trying to fight against the lure of it.
Hopefully, this dinner will be short and sweet because I’m alreadyregretting this decision. Instead of turning toward Union like I expect, Cole walks towards the parking lot.
