Page 45 of The Fadeaway
Katrina
“Hey, Blair, it’s so good to see you,” I say as I untie my apron and step out from behind the counter.
“You too,” she says with a tone that tells me she knows about Joel.
It’s not completely surprising considering Joel and Wes are roommates, not to mention my run-in with Vanessa.
“You have time to chat for a few minutes?”
“Of course,” I chirp cheerily despite the sweat now beading up between my cleavage.
She holds up a finger. “I just need to get some muffins for the guys first.”
After she orders two dozen muffins, we settle into a table in University Hall.
“So, how’s the new job?” I ask of her new job working at the tutoring center.
She smiles. “It’s going really well, I miss the café some days though.”
“We miss you too. It’s not the same without your quotes. Garrett tried to take over the quotes on the evening shift but quickly gave up when people started correcting his spelling and grammar.”
She laughs. “And you, anythingnewwith you?”
“I’m assuming you’re referring to Joel by that look in your eye.”
Her eyes get large and her smile larger. “How and when? And how?!”
“He came in the café last semester and asked me out.”
“You’ve been seeing him since last semester?!”
“No.” I shake my head. “I turned him down, but he kept coming back every week.”
“Seriously? That sounds… so unlike him.”
“I’m pretty sure his ego wouldn’t rest until I said yes.”
“Well, obviously you finally did because he’s asked me to babysit Christian for you on Thursday.”
“Oh, you don’t have to—”
She places a hand over mine. “I’d love to watch him. Honestly, that’s no problem. I just wanted to make sure you hadn’t lost your mind. Joel’s great, don’t get me wrong, but…”
As her words trail off, I can only nod.
Her fingers squeeze mine. “You must like him a lot.”
“I do. I mean everyone likes Joel – he’s easy to like, but he’s different than I expected, too.” I meet Blair’s eyes and she’s grinning so big I feel like I need to backtrack so she doesn’t get the wrong idea. “It’s just one date.”
“One date that he’s going to a lot of trouble to get. Something tells me he might have met his match in you.”
“No, I don’t think so. I’m really not his type.”
“Joel’s type is beautiful women. You’re definitely his type.”
“Thank you.”
“So, let’s talk details, you want me to come to your place? A sorority house probably isn’t the best spot to babysit.”
