Kimindulged in her fantasy of what ifs…Ifshe’d arrived inTampawith no relationship baggage, no cynicism about the motivation behind every guy’s attempt to chat, no wariness that a welcoming smile could fool her just as easily asFinn’sdid.
ButSpencebroke through those barriers with his lopsided smile, thoughtful gestures, and the uncanny way he appeared when she needed someone.Likealmost face-planting on the concourse in the arena.Shegiggled inwardly each time he called her “Popcorn” while trying not to let him know how much she enjoyed the nickname.Orhow she felt when his blue eyes connected with hers.Ifhe suspectedIthought of him as more than a best buddy,Spencewould trip over his feet, running away.
Finishingthe cup of tea,Kimtook her laptop to the sofa to read over her work.Thebutter-soft leather sectional replaced the standard issue couch, thanks toDave.Sheclosed her eyes as she sank into the cushions.Yep,I’mspoiled.
WhenSpencedidn’t seeKimbefore her first class, he immediately worried thatFinnhad returned to harass her.Withoutthinking, he called her cell phone.Itrang several times before she picked up, her voice thick with sleep.
“Kim, you okay?”
“What?…Yeah, of course.Whattime…?”Heheard her phone drop to the floor and her curse. “I’mlate.”Now, she sounded panicky.
“Oversleep?”
“Understatementof the millennium.Thanksfor waking me…Ineed to…”
“Deepbreath,Kim,”Spencesaid. “It’sokay to miss a class.Ifyou’re tired, take a day to relax.”
“Yeah, sure,” she laughed. “I’llsee you later,Spence.Thanksfor the wake-up call.”
Spenceshrugged as he slid the phone into his pocket.Withan open class period, he waited to greetKimbefore grabbing breakfast at the student center.Thoughtsof the veggie breakfast burrito had his stomach grumbling.Hewalked toward her building, inwardly chuckling when he spottedKimstruggling to jog with her book bag weighing her down.Hesprinted to her side.
Hetouched her shoulder, andKimsqueaked in surprise as she jumped aside.Herface turned crimson when she looked up and sawSpence.
“Sorry,Ididn’t mean to sneak up on you,Kim.CanIhelp you with your half-ton of textbooks?”
“Sorry,Iwasn’t paying attention.”Shebrushed her hair away from her face. “I’ma little off-kilter this morning.”
“Youthink?Havebreakfast with me—you’ve missed most of your class.Relaxand reset your day.”Whenhe caught her eyes, he detected fatigue, frustration… and something he couldn’t quite decipher in her expression.Heshouldered her bag, then pulled her into a hug. “Comeon,Popcorn, you can play hooky one time.”
Kimleaned into the hug, finding the comfort she craved.Restingher face against his shoulder, she slipped her arms aroundSpence’schest.Whatare you doing,Martin?Spenceis your pal…Thisshouldn’t feel so natural… so right.
“Sorry,Idon’t know what’s wrong with me today,” she said.
“Gettingroused from dreamland by a phone could throw anyone off-stride.Mybad,Kim.”
Sheshook her head, feeling her body grow warm, recalling the swoon-worthy romantic dream featuring her best friend, who now held her close to his taut, muscular body.Sheshoved the hazy memories aside and took a deep breath. “FeelslikeI’mstill asleep.”
Kimheard his deep chuckle as she felt his lips press against the top of her head.
“Maybeyour body’s trying to tell you something?”
Shepressed her face against his chest to smother a giggle.Youdon’t want to know what my body’s telling me,Spence.Kimtook a deep breath, then pulled back. “Maybeyou’re right.Ididn’t sleep well last night.”
Spencestepped aside but grasped her hand, linking their fingers together. “Thenallow me to treat you to caffeine and sweet potato pancakes.”
“HowcanIresist?Thanks, that’s exactly whatIneed.”
Witha thud,SpencedroppedKim'sheavy book bag on a chair, then pulled another chair for her. “I’llget breakfast.Relax, but don’t fall back asleep.”Thesmell of freshly brewed coffee wafted from the nearby counter.
Kimpicked up a straw on the table and flicked it toward him with a smirk. “Yes, my secret fantasy—to nap in the food court.”Thehum of chatter muffled her words.
“Smartmouth.”Spencelaughed when he caught the straw. “Indulgeyour fantasy.”Hisraised eyebrow causedKim’sbreath to hitch.Shewaved him off with a smile and tried not to squirm as her recent fantasies flickered at the corners of her mind.Don’tact weird; you’ll scare him away.Hedoesn’t think about you that way.
Asshe watched him place the order, her gaze zeroed in on theT-shirt stretched across his shoulders.Shewanted to run her hand across his muscular chest, feel the taut muscles.Shehadn’t allowed herself to think aboutChathamJohnSpencerthat way.Butonce her dreams had unlocked that door,Kimdidn’t want to—couldn’t?—force herself to relock it.
Hermind looped to the previous evening whenSpencecalled her his “girlfriend.”Eventhough she knew why he said it, the words made her heart clench.Thelook onFinn’sface—priceless—maybe pissed?ThewaySpencemade me feel valued and safe.Kim’sfantasy mind refused to let go of the sensation, arguing thatSpencemeant what he said, butKimknew better.Harmlessdreams.Spencenever needs to know.Right?
Kimshook her head, erasing the internal dialogue.Shepicked up her planner and reviewed assignment deadlines.Shedidn’t have time to indulge that fantasy.