Page 8 of Love Lies Bleeding

“Wow, impressive.”

“What about you?”

“The History of Art and Architecture.”

“We have some beautiful old buildings on campus. Have you seen them?”

I take a swig of my beer, feeling the cool liquid slide down my throat, and then offer him the bottle to share. He takes it, doing the same, his eyes locked on mine as he does. It feels intimate as if we’re sharing way more than spit.

“Have you?”

“Have I what?”

“Seen any of the old buildings?”

“I’ve seen Massachusetts Hall and it’s breathtaking. I could study it for hours and still not take in all the details. I want to visit Holden Chapel next.”

“They are impressive.”

He looks down and then up at me sideways and I can’t hide my grin. “So, Cherry Blossom, are you going to let me take you on a date?”

I want to, I really want to but I promised myself I wouldn’t do this. And, honestly, Jake scares me slightly. He’s too tempting, to perfect almost and it makes me wary. But I like talking to him.

I shake my head and his expression falters before he nods.

“I’m sorry, Jake. I’m just not looking for anything.”

“I get it. How about friends then?”

Can you ever be friends with someone you find so attractive? I’m not sure you can but I find I want to try, because this connection I feel to him is addictive. “Just friends,” I state as I hold out my hand and he takes it in his and kisses my knuckles, causing my breath to hitch slightly.

“Good friends.”

I shake my head, snatching my hand back. “Don’t make me regret this, Jake.”

“Never.”

“Hey, there you are. I thought you’d left.” Marianna wraps an arm around me and smiles drunkenly at me.

“You good, Marianna?”

“Yes!” Her arms shoot into the air. “I’m great.” She eyes Jake inquisitively. “Who is this?”

“Jake Marshall. Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, he’s hot and sweet, and I bet those big hands of his could show a girl a good time.”

Her stage whisper is practically a bellow and Jake smirks and shakes his head as I slap a hand over her mouth. “Inside voice, Marianna.”

A hiccup leaves her and she giggles. “Oops.”

“Jakey, there you are.”

I turn as a gorgeous blonde with a black fishnet dress over hot pink underwear drapes herself over Jake like a blanket. Her gaze moves to me as he extricates himself from her grip.

“Who are you?”

Her tone is anything but friendly, the mean girl vibes emanating off her in waves as she attaches herself to Jake with a proprietary demeanor that’s hard to miss. “Cherry Baker, and you are?”

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