Page 28 of The Cruelty of Thorns

We spent the next hour trying on clothes and I had to admit I was having a good time. I ended up buying the dress, some tights, and a cropped black sweater that would go well with one of my longer skirts. I tried not to think about how much I was spending, but then, Kristin was right. It had been a long time since I’d bought anything to wear.

Once we had shopped our fill, we decided to head down the street to a small Mexican restaurant for dinner. Because of the early hour, there was only one other table occupied in the restaurant, an older couple who sat on the same side in the booth with their heads bent close in deep conversation.

“Aren’t they cute?” Kristin remarked as the server brought us our menus.

“They come in here every Sunday,” the server said with a grin. “They’ve been married for over forty years and still look like they’re madly in love.”

I glanced over at the couple and wondered what it would be like to be with someone that long. I could feel the beginnings of a new story blooming in my head, and part of me wanted to go over and talk to the couple. I resisted the temptation, not wanting to intrude or leave Kristin alone, but I resolved to pull out my journal and jot down some notes when I got back to the room.

The sun was setting by the time we finished eating. Kristin suggested we stop for a drink before heading back to the dorm, but I begged off with the excuse that I had spent enough money today. The sidewalks in the bar district were becoming clogged with the usual evening crowds, meaning we had to walk single file to navigate the tide.

We had just crossed the street that would take us back to the campus when I felt that tingling sensation across my skin again. I looked up and spotted him standing directly in our path. His gray eyes held mine, causing my pulse to quicken and my mouth to go dry. I stopped walking, transfixed, while Kristin continued on, and some part of me was grateful for that. I realized I didn’t want to share him with her, like he was a secret I wanted to keep to myself. He closed the distance between us and reached up to place a single finger against my lips, sending a shockwave through me. All I could think about at that moment was feeling those lips pressed to mine, to be crushed in the embrace of his hard body.

He shook his head as if he knew what I was thinking.

“Not now,” he murmured, his voice caressing me, his lips twitching up in a slow, secret promise. “Your friend is waiting.”

I looked ahead to where Kristin had stopped and was glancing around for me. When I turned back, he was gone. As if I had imagined seeing him.

♦ ♦ ♦

At Kristin’s insistence, I wore the new dress on Monday. I’d also pulled my hair back the way Kristin had done on Friday night and almost didn’t recognize myself when I looked in the mirror.

“Looking hot, girl,” my roommate teased. “Ron won’t know what hit him.”

I wasn’t wearing this for Ron. Was I? I pushed the thought from my head as I headed out across campus for my first class, but I couldn’t help noticing some of the heads that turned my way when I passed.

“You’re attracting attention,” Kristin murmured next to me.

“It’s more likely you are. That outfit is hot.”

Kristin did look good today in the new ensemble she had bought, but then, she always did. She slipped her arm through mine and grinned. “Consider us the deadly duo today.”

“Deadly?”

“To them,” she winked as a couple of guys walked past and smiled at us.

I had never been the object of male appreciation and I squirmed inwardly at the attention. Kristin squeezed my arm as though she could sense my reluctance. “Relax, girl. Just enjoy the ride.”

We were entering Providence Hall, where most of my classes were, and a female voice called out to Kristin. “I’ll catch up with you later,” Kristin promised as she turned to greet her friend. I continued down the hall and up the stairs for my first class.

The morning passed quickly, and before I knew it, it was time for my literature class. I couldn’t help feeling nervous as I approached the room. Ron was already there, leafing through his notebook. He looked up as I entered and when his face split into a wide grin I could feel myself grow flushed.

“Wow,” he said as I slid into my seat. “You look great today.”

“Kristin took me shopping yesterday,” I replied.

“Well, I approve.”

I noticed he had Frankenstein opened in front of him. “Did you read it?”

He nodded. “Seems you’re a good influence on me. I spent most of the weekend reading. Not quite finished yet. It’s a lot different than the movies.”

“Most books are,” I agreed.

Mr. Edmonds entered and took his customary perch on the front of his desk. “Let’s talk monsters,” he opened.

The class turned out to be one of the more lively ones of the semester so far, with a spirited discussion that quickly veered off topic. Surprisingly, Edmonds allowed it, for once letting the students dictate the conversation, and in no time the hour was up.

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