Page 12 of Trusting Tanner
He raised a brow. “My fault?”
She nodded, swallowed, and then licked her lips. Again. But she didn’t stop there. She put her index finger in her mouth, sucking off the cinnamon, and then doing the same with her thumb. He let his head fall back against the seat and rubbed his hands over his face.Fuck me. Her sweet, melodic laugh had him looking over at her.
“You don’t offer someone a powdered donut and not provide a napkin.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief.
With a smirk, he reached into his bag and retrieved a small stack of napkins.
“You were holding out on me.” She attempted to take a napkin, but he didn’t release his hold on it.
He put his face inches from hers and wiped the little bit of cinnamon from her bottom lip. “Next time, I’m not using a napkin,” he whispered. His gaze lowered to her mouth then raised back up to her eyes, which were now wide and full of shock. He straightened and gave her the napkin.
“Thanks.” She cleared her throat.
“So, you going to the frat party this weekend?” He dug through his backpack for a pen and notebook.
“I don’t know. My roommate is trying to get me to go, too.”
“I like this roommate.” He grinned. “She sounds smart. You should listen to her.”
Juliana shook her head. “I usually only go because Devon won’t let me stay home.”
“Is he letting you stay home this time?” He sure as hell hoped not. But the idea of her going to the party with another guy wasn’t all that enticing. No matter what either of them said, he knew clear to his soul that Devon was itching to get out of the friend zone.
“He doesn’t have a choice.”
“Sounds like you’ve made up your mind then.” Disappointment pooled in his gut. If he couldn’t casually hang out with her at a party, he was limited to class time. And during classes wasn’t ideal for getting to know her like he wanted to. He’d ask her out, but she’d already shot him down once.
“Yeah, I guess so.” She sighed. “You know better than anyone how intense this med program is. There’s not a lot of time for socializing.”
“True.” He nodded in agreement. “But it’s the first week of classes, and we barely have any work yet, so now is the best time to cut loose and have some fun.”
“Frat parties really aren’t my thing.” She took out a notebook and pen, her movements stiff as if she were suddenly uncomfortable.
Clearly she was trying to let him down easy.Strike two.He took a deep breath and flipped open his notebook. A sheet of bright yellow paper floated out, and he snatched it before it hit the floor. A slow smile spread across his face. “What about roller skating? Is that more your speed?”
“I haven’t roller skated in years. I’d probably break my ankle.”
He set the flyer in front of her. “The Student Union is hosting a flashback Friday seventies roller disco party. We could go there instead of the frat party.”
She picked up the paper and studied it. “This actually sounds fun.”
“Really?” His tone was a combination of shock and excitement. He shifted in his seat, preparing himself for the possibility of her saying yes.
“Yeah…”
His stomach dropped. “But?” He knew it was coming, and he had a sinking feeling it wasn’t going to be something he wanted to hear.
She handed the paper back to him. “Is this a date?”
“Do you want it to be?” Not that he had to ask. The answer was written all over her face.
“No.” She twisted in her seat so she was facing him. “But please don’t take it personally. I’m just not ready to date anyone.”
Not ready to date?That was a telling choice of words. He was going to have to take his time and become her friend before he could have any hope of possibly being her boyfriend. “We’ll go as friends, then. In fact, I know a lot of people who’re planning to go to this. Consider it a group of friends hanging out for the night. And if you want to invite anyone, you can.”Please don’t invite Devon.
After a moment, she nodded. “Okay, yeah. We’ll hang out as friends. But no laughing at me when I fall.”
His lips twitched, but he bit back his smile. “Deal. Do you have any seventies clothes hanging out in the back of your closet?”
