Page 80 of The Tip-Off
The error in my first song selection isn’t obvious until I realize Zeke has no idea what I’m trying to say. I skip past “Crazy in Love” and let the next song play. Zeke’s head bounces softly to Rihanna, but he’s totally clueless.
I press skip again and groan. Blah, blah, blah, Selena, get to the chorus. When she finally gets there, Zeke’s expression goes serious and I can almost see the hope building, but he doesn’t speak right away. He waits until she’s all the way through the chorus a second time before one side of his mouth lifts in a smirk. “You love me like a love song?”
“I’m so sorry I let you leave without telling you. Of course, I love you.”
His grin grows wide. “You made me an I Love You playlist?”
My grand gesture is starting to feel like a giant flop. I knew I should have gone with a whipped cream bikini or a tattoo on my vag that says ‘Property of Zeke’.
“I don’t know how this is going to work, but I want to try because I love you so much. You were not part of the plan, Zeke Sweets.”
He laughs. “You either.”
There’s pounding on the door. “Yo, Superstar, pizza is here.”
More voices are crowded around the door, attempting to whisper and failing miserably. “Leave him alone, he’s having naked time with his girl.”
“Ask him if I can get that Selena Gomez remix. I love her.”
“This is not how I would have imagined spending the weekend with you, but my new teammates are as nosey as the last ones, so I don’t think they’re going away anytime soon.” He jabs a thumb to the door.
“It’s okay,” I say, stand and pull his hand. He stands and wraps his arms around my lower back. “I’m yours until Monday.”
He pulls back and narrows his gaze. “Wait a minute, how did you get here?”
“I drove.” Just saying the words brings a wave of nausea from the drive up. “Two white-knuckle hours, but I did it because you’re worth it.”
“Yeah?” He seems genuinely shocked by the sentiment.
“Yes, you and Cliff are totally worth it.”
“Uh-uh. Still no to Cliff,” he says, pulling me to the door and opening it. He drops a quick kiss to my lips. “But you and he can talk it out after the guys leave.”
Epilogue
Gabby
Two Months Later
Nathanand I circle through the first level of The White House, a mixture of new and old faces. It’s the first week of classes and the energy and excitement for a new school year is at peak level.
“Alright, what’s your type? Blonde, brunette, redhead? Ooh, how about that girl over there with the pink hair?”
Nathan shakes his head for the billionth time tonight. “What if her natural color is awful, and she goes back to it a month after we’re dating?”
“That is strangely insightful.” I glance around the room and my eyes fall on a tall blonde with striking features and legs that seem to stretch on forever. “You’re making it impossible for me to be a good wing woman being so picky. How about the girl in the yellow dress by the window?”
I move toward her before Nathan can respond. Number one, she’s standing by herself and number two she has a look of anticipation mixed with anxiety that tells me she’s either new or it’s not her usual crowd.
“Hi!” I sidle up next to her, but Nathan approaches her like a rabid coyote. “I’m Gabby. Are you new?”
She nods and turns her drink nervously in both hands. “Maureen.”
Nathan is trying his best to hang back, but I loop my arm through his and pull him toward my new friend. “This is Nathan.”
“So, Maureen, are you single? Do you think my friend here is cute?”
Nathan chokes on his beer beside me. “Excuse her, too much time sniffing glue as a kid melted her brain.”
