Page 6 of Wildcat
“You know an incredible amount of boy band facts and sports history. Weird mix.”
“What can I say?” He grins. “It’s a gift.”
“Impressive. Truly.” She looks at me with wide eyes. “Are we still on for the karaoke bar?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“You should come with us,” she says to Leo. “I bet they even have some Backstreet Boys songs for you.” Jade stands tall and smooths a hand over her braid. “Back in five.”
“You could come if you wanted,” I say. “Jade is a lot of fun. Her boyfriend works for the karaoke company, so we get to sing as many songs as we want.”
He checks the time on a flashy watch adorning his left wrist. “I really wish I could.”
“Damn those early classes.” Seriously, damn those classes. I’d forgotten what it feels like to sit and talk with someone new. I haven’t dated since I’ve been back. It’s only been a couple of months, so it isn’t like I’ve been hiding away. Not much, anyway. Still, this is nice.
“What’s your major?” I ask. “Wait, let me guess.”
He sips on his water and leans an elbow on the bar. He’s confident and smart, personable. I wrack my brain for possibilities.
“Pre-law?”
He shakes his head and grins, that dimple twinkling.
Before I come up with another guess, his buddies step up next to us.
Leo stands. “Are you guys heading out?”
“Yeah,” the taller of the two guys steps forward, and they do the bro hand slap hug thing. “We have international finance in the morning, and without you to cheat off, we have to actually pay attention.”
The other guy offers a fist bump. “Thanks for coming out. Good luck next week.”
“Thanks.” Leo flicks his gaze at me uncomfortably, and I stare down at my glass to give him the illusion of privacy.
They say their goodbyes, and Leo drops back to his seat. “Sorry about that.”
“No worries.” I finish my drink. “So, a finance major?”
“Business with a finance emphasis.”
“I’m impressed. Math and numbers always intimidated me.”
“It’s simple, really. It’s all rules and order.”
I swear I get a little involuntary body shiver the way he says rules and order. This guy looks the opposite of both those things, and somehow the combination makes him sexier. Or maybe I just needed a reminder that hot, smart guys still exist in the world. Jade’s right. Forget Rhyse. There are good guys out there, and I think Leo might be one of them.
When my best friend is done, the three of us head out. Leo insists on walking us the two blocks to the other bar. Jade rushes in to see her boyfriend Sam, and I hang back to say goodbye to Leo.
“Are you sure I can’t convince you to come in for a little while?”
“Another time.”
We exchange numbers, and I have that giddy feeling of hope and excitement that he might call. Neither of us is drunk, so I don’t think I’m imagining the chemistry between us. He takes my hand and smooths his thumb over the top of my knuckles. The light touch sends a shiver up my arm.
“Night, Scarlett.” He keeps holding my hand until his backward steps pull our fingertips apart. Then he jolts forward and recaptures my hand. “Fuck it. I’ll nap tomorrow afternoon.”
3
THAT POST-VACATION GLOW
