Page 87 of Wish You Were Mine
“Not yet,” I said, tightening my grip on the straps of my backpack.
“Do you usually eat here?” He nodded toward the dining hall that was currently bustling with students. “Because I can wait while you grab something if you’re hungry.”
I glanced past him, toward the glass doors and the line that had formed inside.
And that was when I saw Josh. Standing in line, laughing about something with the girl next to him.
The same girl he’d been with at the meet.
Only now they were holding hands. Fingers laced. Shoulders touching like they were perfectly in sync.
His new girlfriend, apparently.
My stomach knotted, appetite vanishing on the spot.
“I’m good,” I said, taking a half-step back. “I can just whip something up at home.”
“Okay.” Owen followed my gaze, his brow furrowing for a beat before he nodded. “Or…I was thinking of grabbing some takeout. You can join me if you like.”
Really?I looked up at him, surprised.
Were we really not playing by our unspoken rules now? Had me showing up at his place changed things?
Or I’d guess, more likely, the flirty texts we’d been sending probably started that shift.
“That would actually be great,” I said before he could take the offer away.
“Perfect.” He smiled. “My car’s just parked at my place.”
We walked quickly in the direction of his building, keeping our heads down. Campus wasn’t packed, and with it being dark already, I doubted anyone noticed us walking together.
Still, I felt amped up, a little breathless. Like being near him in public—even casually—was somehow both exhilarating and dangerous.
His car turned out to be a white sedan, probably about ten years old or so. He unlocked it with a beep and opened the passenger door for me before slipping into the driver’s seat.
“Do you like The Italian Amigos?” He turned to me once we were inside and out of view. “That Italian–Mexican place on Main?”
“Love it,” I said, smiling. “Best breadsticks in town.”
“I’ll call in our order, then.” He pulled out his phone. “My brother used to work there when I was teaching at the Academy, so I practically memorized the menu from all the times I stopped by to see him.”
“Oh cool,” I said, sitting up a little straighter, my curiosity instantly piqued since I was hungry for any details about his family. “So, your brother’s younger than you?”
“Five years.” He nodded, scrolling through his contacts. “He lives in New York now with his wife.”
“Oh, that’s awesome,” I said, warmth blooming in my chest. “I love New York. I’ve actually been thinking about sneaking away to Manhattan during spring break. Maybe try to catch a Broadway show or something.”
“Wait—seriously?” He looked up, brows raised.
“Yeah.” I tilted my head, not sure why that surprised him. “I mean, I haven’t made actual plans yet, since who knows if Coach will even give us a break from training—but Alisha’s sister, Theo’s sister-in-law—said I could stay at their family’s hotel if I ever came to visit.”
“That’s so funny,” he said, smiling like we’d just stumbled onto some strange inside joke. “Because that’s literally what I’ve been planning to do for spring break.”
I blinked. “For real?”
“Yes, for real,” he said with a laugh. “My brother and his wife are starring inBeauty and the Beastright now. They’re almost at the end of their run, so I wanted to see the show one more time. I mean, it’s not every day your brother and sister-in-law are Belle and the Beast on Broadway.”
“No way.” My jaw dropped. “You’re related toAsher ParkandElyse Cohen?”
