Page 6 of Ice Cold, Red Hot
Shepherd.
He was surrounded by Griff and the other hockey players I’d seen the day we moved in, but he was staring at me. It was a little unsettling, but I thought for a second, he was just remembering me—finally. Of course, as soon as I’d had the thought, his cold gaze slid away, and he turned his back to me.
“Go say hi?” Nat suggested.
“Definitely not.” I looked around, hoping to see Professor Gunning so I could say hello and get something productive done here despite my fervent wish to be anywhere else.
We grabbed a few more of the passed snacks, and found our way to the table where soft drinks were on offer, when Nat gave me a broad smile and whispered, “oh, CeeCee, he’s here.”
“Who?” My mind jumped to Shepherd, but she couldn’t be talking about him. His loud laugh was echoing around the quad, deep and irritating. I tried to tune it out. “Who’s here?”
“My three-year crush,” she sighed. “Evan Lopez. Soccer player. Senior. So, so hot.”
“Go talk to him,” I suggested.
“I barely know him. What would I say?”
I’d never seen Nat act nervous around guys. I frowned at her. “Since when are you at a loss when it comes to flirting?”
She shrugged. “This is different. He’s just…” A dreamy smile crossed her face as I spotted Dr. Gunning standing near Nat’s dream man.
“Well, come say hello to the professor I’m working for this year. It’ll get you within striking distance, at least.”
Nat followed me to where Professor Gunning was standing with a few other faculty members dressed in conservative attire.
“Hello, Professor Gunning? I’m Celeste Moreno.”
Dr. Gunning’s pretty face broke into a wide smile as she reached her arms wide and gave me a hug. “I’m so happy to meet you in person, Celeste. I’m really looking forwardto our work together this year.” She turned to the two men at her side. “This is Ethan Calloway. He’s a PhD candidate in the department. You two will likely cross paths at some point as the year progresses.”
“I sure hope so,” Ethan said with a friendly smile as he shook my hand. “Dr. Gunning can’t stop talking about how impressive you are.”
I was glad he’d added that second part, because I was about to be put off by the first statement he’d made. “Thanks,” I said, shaking his hand.
“And this is Dr. Pietz,” Dr. Gunning said, indicating a short man with curly gray hair and a bow tie.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said. “This is Natalie Wheeler. She’s in exercise science.”
Nat gave the professors a perfunctory hello and then returned to staring at Evan Lopez.
I talked with Dr. Gunning for a few more minutes, mostly about the drive from Ohio and the weather, and when I turned back to Nat, I was happy to see her standing with Evan, chatting away.
Maybe that was my cue to leave, I figured. I stepped close to Nat and leaned in. “You okay here? I think I’m gonna head back.”
She whipped her head around. “Already? We just got here!”
The wind picked up at that moment and napkins and tablecloths flew in all directions.
“I actually think it might rain,” I told her. “I’m just gonna go now.”
“Okay,” she said. “But it looks like they’re moving it inside.” She pointed to where a group of people werebeginning to move the tables inside the alumni center as the sky continued to darken and an ominous rumble sounded above us.
“That’s okay. I’ve got some things I want to take care of back at home,” I said. “If you’re sure you’re good.”
She smiled at me. “I’m good. See you at home. Don’t go through the woods, remember?” Nat turned back to the group of people she’d been talking to, and I watched as Evan put a light hand on her arm as he told her something.
I was happy for my friend.
I turned on my heel to head out, only to find Shepherd standing directly behind me, blocking my path.
