Page 94 of Stay
When my brain remains frustratingly blank, I hasten my steps, hoping that if I walk fast enough, there won’t be enough time for us to talk.
“How long have you been seeing Cole?”
The unexpected question makes me stumble. He reaches out, his fingers wrapping around my elbow to steady me. A shiver of awareness slides through me at the unexpected contact.
“I’m all right,” I mumble, feeling like an idiot.
It takes a few moments for his hand to fall away. I give him a bit of side-eye as I quicken my pace. At this point, I’m practically jogging across campus. It won’t be long before I break into a run.
I’m reluctant to give him any information about myself. “For about a month or so.” Even though the weather is chilly, sweat pops out across my brow.
A thoughtful expression crosses his face as he nods. His gaze returns to mine and like before, I feel it sharpen as if he’s searching for something. Air gets lodged in my throat as I wait for an indication as to which direction this conversation will veer.
But he remains silent.
Tension continues to ratchet up inside me as we walk side by side. A scream builds within. Any moment it’s going to burst free. Just when I’m about to lose it, Luke reaches out and grabs my hand, pulling me off the concrete pathway onto the grassy stretch of lawn so we’re no longer caught up in the swiftly moving foot traffic.
My wide gaze lands on his as everything inside me freezes.
“My class is in Danners,” he says in explanation before nodding to the left. “I need to head this way.”
Instead of releasing me, his grip tightens. My skin prickles with unease at the intent way he continues to stare.
“All right,” I say lightly, carefully trying to tug my hand free. He closes the distance between us until there’s no more than a few inches that separate us. My breath hitches at his proximity as I lift my chin to hold his gaze. The way he invades my personal space sets my nerves even more on edge.
With his attention locked on me, he cocks his head. “I realize you’re seeing Cole, but can we grab coffee later?”
I blink before slowly shaking my head.
No.
Absolutely not.
I can’t imagine sitting down with him. What the hell would we talk about?
That thought has my belly hollowing out because I knowexactlywhat he wants to discuss.
“No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Just as friends,” he adds as if that will change my mind.
Again, I shake my head. The urge to flee pounds through me.
As I hold his gaze, memories from last year flood back to me. I remember seeing him around campus before that night. He was on the men’s hockey team and had caught my attention. With his short blond hair and blue-gray hazel eyes, there’d been plenty of girls vying for his attention.
Knowing that we both attended Dartmouth last year, and that he had a front row seat to what happened makes me sick to my stomach. Instead of feeling attracted to him, I’m repelled. I want to get away from him as quickly as possible.
“Just think about it, okay?” His voice dips. “I’d like to get together so we can talk.”
He leans over and brushes a soft kiss across my cheek. Even when his lips leave my skin, he doesn’t retreat. His muscular body invades my space as his gaze searches mine for a long, breathless moment.
Just when I’m afraid he’ll push the issue, he squeezes my fingers before saying goodbye, disappearing through the crowd. I’m leftstanding on the grass next to the walkway as people rush past. It takes a couple of heartbeats before I’m able to gather my scattered thoughts and hurry to class.
The rest of the day passes by in a blur. Later that afternoon, I meet up with Brooklyn for dinner at the Union.
We both order taco salads before sliding into an empty booth buried deep in a corner. I haven’t seen her since last night, and I’m sure she’ll be brimming with questions.
I’m not wrong.
