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Tyrone:First, yes, but I didn’t think of that. Second, not stalking, I’m using strategic placement for optimal visual identification for a serendipitous intervention.

Addelsbach:*image*

He sends me an image of the guy fromYoustanding outside some girl’s window.

Tyrone:That’s entirely different.

At this point, it’s probably not. Most people would consider my actions desperate and cringy. I sigh in defeat, stand up and gather my bag and snacks. I’ve been here for 4 hours. She ain’t gonna show. Or she saw me and is ignoring me. She was abruptin her departure when Lyn and I dropped her off at the dorm. Of course, the fact that she lives with Shaye is reason enough to run and hide. I can’t blame her for that.

Addelsbach:Is it though?

Tyrone:No, you’re right. I’m being ridiculous. If we are meant to see each other, the universe will make it happen.

Addelsbach:How very new age hippie of you.

Addelsbach:Look up.

I glance up and nearly fall on my ass as I yelp in surprise. Edee is standing right in front of me, her left eyebrow raised in question, her lips twitching. She wants to laugh at me. Fair. I did just squeal like a fucking girl.

“Edee. What a pleasant surprise.”

Her eyebrow rises impossibly higher. “Imagine mysurprise, when Addelsbach texts me to come down and put you out of your misery.” She glances at my bag full of supplies. “How long have you been sitting outside of my dorm?”

“Not long,” I lie. Right to her face. She chuckles, obviously knowing I’m fibbing to save my stalker ass. “WAIT!” I spin around and point at Addelsbach, who is now standing with Gill and Schultz. “You had her number this whole fucking time? What the hell, man?”

“This was way more fun! Toodles!” The three of them wave merrily, then turn around and walk away.

Edee is laughing so hard, she rests her hand against my arm to hold herself up. Willing to take what I can get; I cover her hand with my own. When she rights herself, her bright eyes meet mine and my chest hitches…she’s pretty. Really pretty.

“I want your number.” My eyes slowly close on a disappointed sigh. I have game, I swear. She just…she knocks me off my axis, in the best kind of way.

“You. Number. Too.”

I stare at her with my mouth parted. “I’m sorry, was that supposed to be a caveman?”

“Yes, of course. Didn’t you get that by the deep voice?”

I shake off her bad impression. “Let’s tap.” She holds up her phone and I tap mine against hers and now we finally have each other’s number. I can text her. Call her. Facetime. A huge weight lifts from my chest as the relief loosens my muscles. I don’t think I realized how important this was to me; how importantsheis. Though, I guess objectively, I should have known since I tried to justify stalking her for several days.

“Would you care to join Lyndell and I for dinner?”

“Sure. I’d love to.” My lips stretch painfully in the biggest smile. She agreed. Awesome. Edee puts her hands in the pockets of her jean shorts and rocks back and forth in her sandals. Her toes are painted light purple. Her long, smooth legs are thick and juicy, toned and inviting. My brows furrow, why isn’t she walking away? She’s just standing here.

“Uh…should I walk you to class?” She doesn’t have a bookbag with her, no notebooks or computer. Edee snorts and shakes her head. “Uh…were you heading somewhere else? The library?”

“Ty, you asked me out to dinner.”

“I did. I’ll swing by later with Lyndell to pick you up.”

“You do know it’s dinnertime now, right?”

“Fuck! I’ve been sitting out here for like 6 hours!” Shit! No! She can’t know that. She’s gonna freak out and flee back intoher dorm and file a report and I’ll never see her again. Fuck! “I mean…not 6 hours…itfeelslike 6 hours, but it’s only been—”

“360 minutes.” Edee takes a deep breath, then loops her arm through mine and starts walking. “Come on. I heard stalking burns a lot of calories.”

“Fucking Addy.” I mutter much to her amusement. “Uh, speaking of Addelsbach, why does he—”

“I needed to interview him before the season started and he gave my editor his contact information for me to use. We’ve texted a few times. He really likes cat videos.”

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