Page 68 of Study Buddies

“Thank you, but I’m good.” I pressed the cold glass against my forehead. “Does your mother drive you crazy?”

Mia leaned against the table, her white apron showing some coffee stains. “I barely remember her. But I’ve had five foster mothers, and yeah, most of them drove me crazy.”

“Oh. Sorry.” That had been thoughtless of me to say.

“It’s all right. You didn’t know.”

My blunder helped cut through some of my worry for my mother. “Thank you for the water. It helped.

She smiled. “Can I get you anything else?”

“No. But thank you.”

The phone callwas on my mind all through my composition class. Usually, I paid extra attention to it because I knew I’d be tutoring Kyle later on the topics covered. But I just couldn’t concentrate.

And after class, I trudged down the stairs, stepped out into the sunlight… and saw Jayden leaning against a railing, waiting for me. Surprise made me stop in my tracks and stare at him. He had on a cream sweater with dark stripes. Underneath, the edgeof a light blue button-down shirt peeked out. His jeans were dark and fitted, cuffed at the ankles, and those brown leather shoes—slightly worn but still nice—made him look put together in a way that most guys didn’t bother with.

He had a gray backpack slung over one shoulder, like he was just any guy on campus, going about his day. But he wasn’t just any guy, and on such an upsetting day, finding him here, waiting for me, was like a gift.

I walked toward him in a daze.

“Mia texted.” That was all he said before I all but collapsed against him. His arms went around me, and I buried my face against his sweater, closing my eyes and welcoming the darkness. And the warmth of his embrace. “Do you want to tell me about it?”

I shook my head.

“I’m sorry, Tori.” He placed a light kiss on the top of my head.

I didn’t want to think about Doug, and the way he treated my mother, so I just focused all my senses on Jayden. He smelled so good. His cologne had some sort of spiced scent I couldn’t identify, but I was beginning to recognize it.

And appreciate it.

He held me, rocking slightly side to side, and I wanted to stay in his arms forever. His body felt so good pressed against mine. His flat abs. His strong arms. He didn’t have the muscles that Kyle did, but he still had a lean strength to him.

And a kind heart.

Finally, I stepped back. He cupped my cheek as he looked at me with those warm, brown eyes.

“I’m glad Mia contacted you,” I said softly.

“Me too.” His fingers trailed down my cheek and almost as if he couldn’t stop them, slid over to tuck my hair behind my ear.

Which made me smile.

“Can I give you a ride home? Lucas and I drove together, and he’ll be done in a half hour.”

“Thanks, but I have a meeting with my advisor.”

“We can wait.” He again tucked my hair behind my ear. I didn’t have the heart to tell him it was a losing battle. Unless I had it in a ponytail, it went where it wanted to.

“Thanks, but Kyle’s going to give me a ride later.” Since he no longer had practice, he’d offered to drive me more often, and I’d accepted—in part because I hoped to convince him to stop at a coffee shop or library on the way home to get in some extra tutoring.

“All right.” He started to brush my hair back for a third time and then stopped, a grin breaking out on his face. “It’s got a mind of its own.”

“You have no idea.”

He stared at my hair for another moment before focusing on my eyes. “See you back home?”

“See you then.” It was something to look forward to.

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