Page 9 of Study Buddies

I frowned at the menu. “Isn’t that a kid’s meal?”

Tori gave me a small smile, but as usually happened, my attention was drawn to that long, silky ponytail. She was fucking gorgeous with those long lashes, dark eyes, and full, pink lips. But it was that glorious dark hair of hers that I couldn’t stop watching, even when I was supposed to be studying.

Especiallywhen I was supposed to be studying.

A waitress came, and Tori ordered her chicken strips, while Lucas and I got burgers. Then I winked at Tori before turning back to the waitress. “And she’ll have a strawberry shake.”

The waitress left before Tori could protest. “I’m not that hungry, that’s why I ordered off the kids’ menu.”

“And that’s why I ordered you a kid’s drink.” I smirked at her, hoping to get her to smile, and feeling rewarded when she did.

I took a sip of water, hoping the sodas would come soon. “So what’s with the whole van life thing? Or, in your case, the sedan life. Trying to make it big as a travel influencer?”

Lucas elbowed me, but my question earned another small smile from Tori.

“Nothing that glamorous. I was just tired of paying for that overpriced hotel room.”

“How many places have you lived in the last few months?” Lucas asked.

“A lot,” she admitted. “I haven’t had very good luck with roommates.”

Judging by that asshole Todd, it seemed she was right about that.

Lucas tensed, but his voice stayed gentle. “Did he do anything else besides the camera?”

Tori shook his head. “He just… I thought we were friends, and he seemed to think we were something more. He’d always want to know where I was going, and he just got, like, super possessive.”

“I’m sorry that happened,” I said. And even more sorry that I hadn’t known she needed help during our first study group session last week.

“Housing is a bit hard to find around here, but I’ve got a couple leads.” It was clear she was doing her best to project confidence. “I’ll find something soon.”

“And sleep in your car until then?” I asked, incredulously.

But it was Lucas who answered. “No, she’ll stay with us.”

His solution didn’t shock me—that’s where my mind had gone, too, but Tori shook her head rapidly. “I can’t ask you guys to put me up.”

“You didn’t ask,” I pointed out.

“I’ll be fine,” she insisted. Of course, the last time she’d said that, we’d found her in a dark lot in the middle of a fucking park. “I can go back to the hotel.”

“We’ve got room.” Lucas’s voice was gentle.

“Yeah, you can have my room.” It was only fair. It was Lucas’s house, so I should be the one to give up my room. Me sleeping on the couch was a hell of a lot better than her sleeping in a car.

“You’ll be safe there,” Lucas continued. “Your own room and a door that locks.”

Tori’s face flushed. “I didn’t mean to imply I wouldn’t feel safe, it’s just that…”

Lucas reached across the table and lightly touched her hand. “The last thing you need to do is reassureusthat you’re not scared of us. After what that creep did, I’m surprised you’re not going after every man you meet with an axe.”

I watched Tori’s face, and the little flicker of relief there, but mostly I was amazed by Lucas’s words. He somehow knew what Tori needed to hear, and it was impressive. Though he’d had a girlfriend for three years in high school, I’d never considered him to be good at talking to women.

But maybe he was just good at talking to this woman. It had been more than obvious he’d had a crush on her all last year.

“I’ll change the sheets for you,” I said. “And I’ll take the lumpy pillow out to the couch; you can keep the good one.”

She gave a small smile that widened when the waitress set a frothy pink shake down in front of her. She immediately took a sip. “I haven’t had one of these in years.”

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