Page 118 of Exposed on the Blue Line

“I told you, that wasn’t a date.”

“We talked, we had fun, and we had dinner. It was a date.” He gives me a sideways smirk, driving to wherever as he makes his points. “And this makes three.”

I can’t argue that this is a date, but the other two are bullshit.

“You’re lucky I’m not counting that time I brought you pizza for lunch just so I could eat your pussy.”

I smile, thinking about it. He surprised me one afternoon between his classes. I skipped my first class that day when I saw him on my porch, half empty pizza box in hand and a hungry look in his eyes. As soon as I opened the door, he handed me the pizza, scooped me up, and brought me back to bed, where he proceeded to eat me for dessert. “That one definitely doesn’t count. Bringing me leftover food doesn’t make it a date.”

“Yes, but a good time ending with a good night’s kiss does. I’ll settle for three.”

I can’t help but smile at his persistence.

“Give me your phone.” Surprisingly, he hands it over without any hesitation after unlocking it. “There, now you have my number and I have yours. This way, we can plan those future dates.”

“I plan on lots of them.” He winks at me and squeezes my thigh.

I’m going to miss this. He’s leaving in less than a week, and we have no time for any of these hypothetical dates.

“Also, change your password. Your birthdate is too easy to figure out.”

“How do you know my birthday?” He squints at me as he drives. “Keeping tabs on me?”

“I know every birthday of every guy on the hockey team. Who do you think plans most of the parties you guys have?” These guys have no clue how much us girls take care of them.

He doesn’t drive far and pulls around to the opposite side of the campus and parks.

“Are we eating in the dining hall?”

“Not quite,” He laughs as he gets out and jogs around before I can open my own door. “I was going to set it up on my lawn or yours, but this was more private.”

He leads me away from the dining hall entrance to a small open area where a clear igloo tent is set up with lights strung inside it. The globe glows in the moonlight, looking warm and cozy with the snow glistening behind it.

The dining hall is closed already for the night, and everyone will be studying tonight for finals or hanging out in the dorms, giving us our own little private spot right on campus.

“You set this up?” I ask in utter disbelief at the lit-up tent. Inside is a heater with blankets spread out and a box of pizza in the middle.

“With a little help, but yeah.” He zips the flap closed once we’re inside and opens up a small cooler after passing me two clear plastic cups. “I have sparkling white grape cider. Figured wine would disrupt the studying too much.”

“That’s perfect,” I say, hiding all the emotions I’m feeling. It’s overwhelming. “What if I said no to the date?”

His cocky smirk says it all. “I knew you wouldn’t say no, but on the off chance you did, I would’ve sat in here and enjoyed a full pizza to myself.”

“Thank you.” I hold up my cup to his. “This is very thoughtful and a beautifulfirstdate.”

His grin widens before he taps his cup to mine. “To many more.”

“Are you excited to leave?” I ask after taking a sip of my cider, and Luca passes me a slice of pizza.

“No.” He shakes his head. “I’m excited to go there, but not excited to leave. And nervous.” He lets out a deep breath. “It’s going to be so different.”

“But it’s everything you’ve worked for.”

“Yeah, and here I’m the best. The top guy. Theking.” He takes a bite of his pizza before going on. “There, I’ll be just another rookie trying to make it.”

“But you will,” I encourage him. “You will make it, and you’ll be great. It won’t take long to make your mark and grab everyone’s hearts. The same way you did here.”

“The same I did with yours?” He looks up, hopeful for my response.

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