Page 4 of Bound By Water
“All good,” I assure him. “The guy felt so bad he brought me a rose and an apology.”
An amusing glint appears in his eyes. “Really. Did he ask you out?”
Warmth flushes my cheeks. “For coffee, but he’s younger than me, a senior, and very popular, so I know he’s just being nice.” I pick up the garlic bread, break off a piece, and shove it in my mouth.
“Too bad,” he remarks with a sad shake of his head. “When are you going to realize there’s more to life than studying?”
“After I graduate,” I tell him firmly, as if it’s been my plan all along.
Before the accident, I flirted with tons of guys at school, but something inside me changed afterward. Recovery and rehab took a long time. By the time I went back to high school, I felt out of sync with my life.
During my first year of college, I tried to be normal, but it was hard when I felt so awkward, as if I’d skipped a rite of passage in my teen years. I went on a few dates my freshman year of college, lost my virginity, but for the most part, they were disastrous, so I gave up.
My life is finally stable and on track. But if I’m honest, part of me is scared I’ll do something stupid. It’s not as if I have a lot of experience in dating or experimenting. When everyone else was fooling around, I was grieving. At the ripe old age of twenty-four, I’m not technically a virgin, but it’s damn close.
I fiddle with my fork as I think about it. Maybe I should at least date. Next semester, though. I’m too busy right now. Trent’s intense chocolate brown eyes flash in my mind again, but I brush the image away. Not him. Someone… less handsome. Quieter. Easier.
CHAPTER3
WILLA
Lexie plops a pile of books on the counter and flashes me a huge smile. She’s practically vibrating, she’s so excited. Leaning over the counter, she whispers, “Guess who’s here? In the library?”
I try to think of the name of the guy she’s currently crushing on. “Hayes? Or Harley? Sorry, I can’t remember.”
Her lips twist into a wry smile. “It’s Hayden, but no. Even better. Trent Hightower!”
Above her bent head, I see his tall, fit body weaving through the students. “He’s coming up behind you.”
She whips around, and I cringe. We’re so obvious.
“Trent,” she practically purrs. “Can we help you find something?”
He glances at the two guys with him and waves a hand to the right. “I’ll meet you at the table with Kelcey and her friends.”
My gaze follows and lands on a table full of pretty girls sitting nearby. Gorgeous and bubbly, and guessing by their uniforms, cheerleaders.
Once his buddies walk off, he turns back to us. “My professor told me I could find a tutor here for my biomechanics class?” He looks at Lexie, then swivels his glance to me.
Lexie pouts. “Unfortunately, I’m a marketing major. Willa’s your girl.”
He slowly nods and flashes me a half smile. “Do you have a second?” When I dip my chin in answer, his gaze returns to Lexie, and he waits, saying nothing.
Enviously, I watch him silently command her. Is that something bred into the wealthy? Or are some people just born with the innate ability to get people to do what they want with little protest? I wish I could cultivate that level of confidence.
She sighs, then winks at me. “I’ll go put these books away.” She brushes against Trent as she pushes past him, her arms full again.
I wince. “Sorry about that. Lexie’s a fan.”
Eyes narrowed; he stares at me for a minute. What he’s looking for, I’m not sure, but just as an uneasy feeling crawls up my spine, he steps forward and flashes a big, white smile. “That’s nice, but I’m only interested in you.”
Those words, coming out of his perfectly shaped lips, make the heat rise from my chest to my face.
He needs a tutor,I remind myself, trying to will the embarrassing blush away.
Placing his forearms on the counter, he leans in closer and presses his hands together like he’s praying. “Kinesiology is my major, and I need to make sure I pass this class. Please tell me you have an opening?”
He pouts a little, turning his puppy dog eyes on me, and I can’t help but laugh. Still feeling self-conscious, I reach for my phone and pull up my schedule. “Stop. You’re killing me. I’m sure I have an opening.” Trying to be fast when your fingers can barely function is impossible.Focus.Finally, my clumsy taps and swipes are successful.
