Page 5 of Tempting the Player
* * *
As soon as I get home, I tell the girls about my run-in with mystery guy and Cam asking me out. Dahlia and I live with two other roommates, Daisy and Violet.
The three of them sit on my bed while I try on six different dresses for my date.
“That one is stunning,” Violet says as I come out of the closet in a slinky silver dress.
Dahlia nods. “But maybe a little too much for a Monday night.”
“I’m never afraid to be overdressed.” I turn side to side as I stand in front of the full-length mirror on the back of the closet door. “But I’m not loving silver with my new hair.”
As Ivy Greene I had been known for my seafoam green hair. When I moved to Valley, I went platinum. But this new turn in my life where I’m Jane but no longer hiding Ivy, I decided on blonde with green on just the ends. It’s a mix of both worlds. A little Jane and a little Ivy. It’s fitting as I figure out who I am, but I need to reconsider my wardrobe.
“Only you could get asked out by one guy and then literally fall into your mystery crush’s arms five minutes later.” Daisy looks at me with her big, blue eyes full of admiration and playful jealousy.
“It was a little embarrassing. He ran off so fast, like he was annoyed he’d needed to save me or something.” My insides heat as I remember the way his intense hazel eyes stared down at me. I adjust the straps of the dress. “What do you think?”
“I still like the black one best,” Violet says as she sits forward and grabs the first dress I put on. “It’s simple, but sexy, and it looks killer on you.”
I take the dress from her and head back into the closet to change. “I’m running out of time, so I guess it’ll have to do.”
“I can’t believe you’re finally going out on a date with Cam.” Daisy stands as I come out of the closet and zips up the back of my dress.
“Me either. He’s so cute.”
Dahlia doesn’t say anything. She isn’t team Cam, but that’s just because she doesn’t really know him and what she does know of him is that he didn’t show the one time we were supposed to hang out.
“I have to go. I’m staying at Jordan’s tonight, but I want to hear all about it tomorrow when I get back.” Daisy hugs me. “Have fun and be careful.”
Vi is the next to stand and hug me. When she pulls back, she tips her head down, sending her black hair falling over her shoulders as she regards me seriously. “Have so much fun. And I want more details on mystery guy tomorrow. We need to figure out who this guy is.”
“Already working on it. I scoured all the athletic team rosters. Next up, professor bios.”
She laughs. I’m serious. I can still feel his strong arms cradling me against him. I push that memory away for later. I need to focus. Cam is going to be here any minute.
When it’s just me and Dahlia, I hold my hands out to my sides. “Still your favorite? I probably have time for one more wardrobe change.”
No sooner do I say the words than my phone pings with a text notification. My stomach flips. “He’s here.”
“You look so hot. Cam is going to choke on his saliva. I hope he knows how lucky he is.” She stands and waits for me to grab my purse and cell phone, and then we head downstairs together.
Before I head out, Dahlia gives me basically the same pep talk that Daisy did. “Have so much fun and be careful. Text me if you need anything or if Cam is a total bore.”
“I’m not going to need an out. Cam is anything but boring and tonight is going to be amazing.” I slide my phone into my purse and flash my biggest smile at my best friend before heading out the door.
* * *
The Hideout isn’t very busy tonight. The restaurant and bar near campus is often packed with students or locals, but the rain and cold seems to have kept people home.
I didn’t bother with a jacket and that was a mistake. My bare arms and legs are frozen, and then Cam picks a table on the bar side that’s near the door. Every time it opens, a cold draft whips through. I’ve barely touched the Sprite in front of me and am wishing I’d ordered a coffee or something else warm.
“Tell me more about the singing and acting thing,” Cam says. He’s wearing a long-sleeved black button-up over a gray T-shirt. Leaning back in his chair, he rests one arm on the empty chair next to him and his long middle finger taps the wood absently. He has a nervous energy about him, always moving somehow, but his gaze doesn’t leave me.
“What do you want to know?” I ask, soaking up his attention. He’s so cute and unexpectedly more interested in me than I would have guessed from his cocky demeanor.
“All of it. Why’d you stop? What was it like? Who’s the biggest celeb you’ve met?”
I laugh softly. “It was fun, mostly, but it was still a job. Lots of long hours and hard work.”
