“Well,” I continued, my voice rising, “this guy from my economics class asked me to join his group.”
“Oh really?” Despite her fever, Leah giggled. “Does this guy have a name?”
“Grayson Parker.”
“Grayson Parker?” She sounded like she either knew him or found his name to be strange. “Does he have blue eyes, light brownish air, a very hot body, and is a bit taller than six feet?”
“Yes,” I drawled. “Do you know him?”
Leah flashed her eyes open and sat up. Her hair stuck out and makeup was smeared under her eyes. “He’s Grayson. All the single and not-single girls are drooling after him. I know a few girls who have asked him out, and he declined. We thought he had a girlfriend. But oh my God, Cammy. He asked you out?”
“No.” My face paled. Was that guilt? Did he ask me out? Did I say yes? “No,” I said again. “I— He … he asked me to join a study group.”
Leah at last surrendered and fell back to her pillow with her eyes closed. “Have fun.”
I closed the door, grabbed my backpack, and strolled to the library. Peace and quiet pervaded the room. Most of the seats were taken. The sound of shoes clicking and pages flipping filled the air.
I went through double doors and searched for Grayson. Besides Grayson, I had no idea who else was in our group. Maybe this was a bad idea. Just as I decided to go back home, soft air brushed against my ear, and that warm, spicy scent filled me.
“Looking for me, Cammy?” a low, manly voice whispered, producing shivers through me.
I whirled, gulping down air. My heart thumped faster as my eyes set on his heavenly blue ones. So blue, gazing into them felt like floating in a cloudless sky. He wore jeans, a flannel, and a baseball cap backward.
“Huh. Hey.” I suddenly forgot his name. I forgot how to breathe. I forgot who and where I was.
“Good. ’Cause I’ve been looking for you, too, and now I’ve found you. I realized I forgot to tell you which table. I didn’t have your phone number. I couldn’t call you. We need to fix that problem right now.” He took out a piece of paper from his back pocket. “Do you have a beeper?”
I nodded.
“Your phone and pager number please.” After I told him, he gave me a little notepaper with his number on it. “Now you have both of mine, too. This way.” Placing a gentle hand behind my back, he took me to the table next to the tall bookcase.
Two girls and two guys sat at a round table. They smiled when they saw us approach. Thank God they were friendly and welcoming. After Grayson introduced us, we got right down to business. Two hours later, we were done and out the door. We had a great review session, and I felt ready to take the test.
“This was great, Grayson. Thank you for inviting me.” I shivered as the night breeze suddenly became cooler. Spring wind was unpredictable.
Before I could blink, Grayson took off his long-sleeve, red and black flannel shirt and draped it over me. He wore a black T-shirt underneath. My treacherous eyes darted to his hard biceps when they curved around me. I dipped my chin lower.
“Oh. Thank you. Anyway, I should get going.” I adjusted my backpack and veered away.
“Let me walk you home.” He slid right next to me.
“You don’t have to. I just live across the street.” I quickened my steps.
“It’s dark and it’s late. I’d feel better if I walked you back. I’m doing this more for me than you, you know.” He gave me a sly grin, those adorable dimples deepening.
I snorted. “Fine. But you’ve been warned, I’m a jaywalker or whatever you call it.”
He chuckled.
After we passed through the parking lot and through a few low bushes, we stopped at the curb. I scanned both ways and before I could tell him to run, he grabbed my hand and burst out, “Run.”
I didn’t pull my hand away but kept running and let him guide me. We halted to catch our breath, and just then a cop car passed by. We exchanged glances and raised our eyebrows.
“That was too close,” I said. “Getting a ticket for jaywalking would be too embarrassing.”
“I hear ya,” he agreed as he continued to follow me. “But that was fun. It’s like playing Frogger.”
“I played that when I was a kid, too.” I smiled.
After crossing through mid-thigh high bushes, a parking lot appeared and then finally my apartment.
“Well. This is my stop. Thank you for walking me, even though you didn’t have to.” I took out my key from my back pocket and dangled it. “I would invite you in for a drink or something...” God, did I just say those words? Say something unpretentious. “I mean, you know, to thank you for inviting me, but my roommate isn’t feeling well. She has a fever.”
Grayson frowned and adjusted his cap. “Does she need medicine, or do you need anything?”
So sweet. Why does he have to be so sweet?
“We have everything we need. But thank you. And thank you again for asking me. The study group helped.”
He nodded and shoved his hands in his jean pockets. “I’m glad you agreed to come and actually came.” He grinned. I couldn’t stop staring at his dimples. “By the way, if you get a one - one from me on your pager, it means hello. So, I’ll see you in class tomorrow. Good luck on your test.”
“You too.” I handed his flannel shirt back. With a smile, I entered my apartment and closed the door behind me.
Guilt poured into me. I shoved Lucas aside. It wasn’t a date, I reminded myself. I didn’t cheat. But I couldn’t understand the butterflies fluttering inside my gut.
Was I falling out of love with Lucas? And maybe he was falling out of love with me? Possibly the reason for our frequent fights lately?
I tiptoed to check up on Leah. When I placed my hand on her forehead, she grabbed my hand. I yelped and jumped back.
“Oh my God, you scared me.” I pressed a hand on my chest.
“The medicine kicked in, I feel much better. I’m just tired,” she said softly.
I placed a bottle of water with a straw inside it next to her lips. “Drink.”
She shifted sideways and started sipping. “Thanks, Mom.” Leaning back, she asked, “So, how was Mr. Hot Guy?”
I put the water bottle on the night table and playfully glared at her. “Mr. Hot Guy is just a friend. There were four other people with us. It wasn’t a date.”
“Uh huh.” Her lips perked. “He’s so sweet and has the cutest dimples.”
I crossed my arms and scowled. “If you like him that much, then you should go out with him.”
“He didn’t ask me out. He asked you.” She closed her eyes and waved a hand. “He has your number, doesn’t he?”
I recalled when he asked for it. “Yes, and pager number. It doesn’t mean anything.”
The doorbell chimed.
“Maybe it’s him again,” she cooed.
“Shut up.” I rolled my eyes.
The doorbell chimed again.
I dismissed her words and headed for the door, but a little tiny part of me wished what she said came true. Stupid me forgot to check the peephole and opened the door.
Chapter Seven