“Jillian, dear, this is Stephanie,” Andrew said, drawing my attention. The girl was no longer staring adoringly at Brock, but was watching her father with a degree of hesitation. “She just graduated from Shepherd.”
Interest sparked and her brown eyes met mine briefly. “I’m starting there in the spring. Actually, I’m transferring there.” Her gaze flickered from mine to her father, and then dropped to my shoes. “In the spring, but I already said that, so . . .”
Brock’s hand squeezed her shoulder
“That’s what your father was saying,” I said. “You’ll really like that.”
“I think so,” Jillian replied, but the lack of excitement caused me to doubt that she believed it.
I glanced at Brock, but he was staring down at her bowed head with a frown. “If you have any questions about the campus or whatever, I’ll be glad to help you,” I offered.
Approval settled into the lines of Andrew’s face. “That’s a good idea, actually. Jillian, you could go out to get coffee with Stephanie.”
She nodded without looking at me and, well, I could tell that was probably not going to happen. An awkward silence fell, broken by Brock. “You’re not in class today?”
Jillian shook her head. “Nope. I had an exam, and I finished early, so I’m done until later this afternoon. I thought I’d stop by.”
“Admit it. You heard I was back and you came to see me,” he teased, and I bit down on my lip as blood rushed back to her face. Dear God, was he that oblivious? Brock put her in what looked like a headlock. Yep. He was that oblivious. “Come on, Jilly-bean, you can help me set up.”
Jillian glanced at her father, and he nodded. “Go ahead and head down. I’ll be there shortly.”
“Nice meeting you, Stephanie.” Brock said, and with his arm still around Jillian’s shoulder, steered them toward the doors. “I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
“Nice meeting you, too,” I replied, giving him a tiny wave.
They got halfway down the hall when Jillian stopped and turned halfway around. “It w-was good meeting you.”
I smiled at Jillian, but her face looked like a tomato about to burst. Poor girl. “Same here.”
When they were at the doors, her father sighed heavily as he faced me. “Thank you for offering to talk to her. I doubt she’ll take you up on the offer. It’s nothing personal. She just doesn’t warm up to strangers well. Hasn’t since, well . . . in a long time, but I appreciate it nonetheless.”
“It’s no problem. I hope she does decide to get coffee or whatever.” And I meant it.
Andrew nodded again, and the conversation ended between us. As Marcus and Andrew disappeared into the closed office, I sat back down and reached for the mouse. Just as my fingers brushed it, I remembered the strange text.
Tapping on the phone, I saw another message from the unknown number.
What in the hell? Ha.
Well, that wasn’t the response I thought I’d get. At least whoever this was didn’t type in text speak, thank God. I debated sending another pic. I had an entire arsenal of them but figured there was no point in dragging this out. I texted back, who is this, and dropped my phone in my lap.
A few minutes later it vibrated. One glance down and my lips parted in surprise. The response didn’t make sense.
I couldn’t believe it, couldn’t even figure out how it was possible, but I could read, and as long as something wasn’t functioning incorrectly in my head, I saw who was texting me.
It was Nick.
Chapter 9
It’s Nick.
When I didn’t respond, because I was too busy staring at my phone dumbly, it vibrated again.
I conned Roxy into giving me your phone number.
My eyes widened.
Another text came through almost immediately. Mainly bc I figured at some point you’d ask for mine. I saved you the trouble. ;)
Oh my word, the arrogance knew no limit. I hadn’t been planning to ask for his number. Okay, it might’ve crossed my mind, but I had decided it was best to let that sleeping dog lie. Yes. I was obviously attracted to Nick, as he was to me, but I wasn’t sure I could be just friends with him while lusting after him, and I wasn’t sure I could trust him not to have the same reaction he had last time after we got together.
A fourth text followed. Please don’t be mad at Roxy. She likes you. But she also likes me.
My brows rose. Irritation sparked, but it was minimal. I’d met Roxy and Katie again this past Sunday for breakfast. We hadn’t talked about Nick this time, but part of me wasn’t surprised that she’d given him my number.
I hope you’re not mad.
Snapping out of it, I picked up the phone and sent back: I’m not. And that was the truth. It wasn’t like I gave Roxy the impression I would flip my shit if she gave him my number. Though she probably could’ve asked first, but that was water under the bridge at this point.
Good, he sent back. A moment passed and another text came through. Did you save my number?
The corners of my lips curved up. I texted back: No.