Page 30 of Rookie Mistake

I laugh and shake my head with an eye roll.

I’m not wearing anything special, just an old pair of shorts that used to be baggy jeans until I cut them up and a black babydoll crop top with an old pair of Nikes.

Definitely not as sexy as the night we met, but I guess he likes me dressed down just as much.

“No fighting.”

He smirks, dipping his shoulder. “No promises.” Sliding an arm around my waist, he pulls me to him and hugs me.

A lingering hug that feels far more intimate than it should.

I clear my throat and step back. “So, where are these roommates?”

“A party, I think? Who knows, honestly.”

“And you didn’t feel like a party tonight? Parties are… fun.”

Another shrug. “I try not to go out on a weeknight because my schedule is always so packed, and it’s hard to juggle it all. Plus… last year, I got into a bit of trouble. Drinking too much, people posting pictures on social media. My coach had my ass, so I’m trying to stay straight this year.”

Now, this, I can see. Davis seems to be the kind of guy who walks into a room and commands attention. He’s the life of a party. The charming, infectious guy. And I can absolutely see why he’s got the playboy reputation.

“Ah, but trouble seems to find you, clearly.”

Laughing, he drags a hand over his jaw and nods. “Obviously, so that’s why you’re here. But, you know.” He steps closer, sliding a palm over my hip and tugging me closer. “I think you’re the kinda trouble that’s worth it.”

“Glad to hear it, Loverboy.” I lift on my tiptoes and give him a quick kiss before stepping back and walking around his apartment, taking it all in.

It’s clean and pretty basic, but at the same time, it feels like a home and not a party place, which is pretty common for college housing.

“I was going to order takeout tonight, but I had a better idea. You up for going somewhere instead?”

“Sure.”

An hour later, we’re sitting on his tailgate in the parking lot of my favorite breakfast diner, talking about everything and nothing at all, and it’s… nice.

There are a lot of ways to a girl’s heart, but to minespecifically?

Good taste in music, a new tattoo, or, in this case, a stack of double chocolate chip pancakes with extra whip cream.

And somehow, my favorite pancakes are inherently better when I’m sharing them with Davis Guidry.

Turns out my favorite chocolatey goodness is even better when I get them with a side of him. The guy with the bourbon eyes, chiseled jaw, and dimpled grin is nothing like I thought he’d be. He’s not just stupidly handsome; he’s funny, charming, and surprisingly sweet.

A lethal combination.

Our shoulders brush together when he throws his head back and laughs at one of my cheesy jokes, a delicious, deep, raspy sound that makes my stomach flip and my core clench at the same time.

“You know, watching you put down all those pancakes was possibly the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Honestly, this was the last place I expected him to take me, but it was a pleasant surprise. There’s nothing better than pancakes for dinner, and we’ve spent the last hour laughingand getting to know each other… outside of the insane sexual chemistry we seem to share.

And I’m realizing how many things we actually have in common. How we both love trashy reality TV, ’90s alternative, and sleeping in.

“What can I say? I have a healthy appetite.”

He laughs with a nod. “Most girls are weird around guys when it comes to eating, or at least that’s been my experience. To me, there’s nothing sexier than a girl who eats. Cheeseburgers, pancakes, whatever. Fuck nothing but chicken and salad all the time.”

“Nope, sorry. Not me.” I shake my head. “I’m never passing up food if I’m hungry. And definitely not chocolate chip pancakes from Magnolia’s. But I’m kinda surprisedyouate them with all the syrup. My brother is so weird about everything he eats. Because of baseball, I guess?”

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