HARRY THE HACKER had been worth the money, if only to see the look on JT’s face when he walked out of his class to see me leaning against a doorjamb across the hall.
Those brown eyes widened and his whole body went still before he shook his head and made his way over.
“Yep. Total stalker,” he said.
“I told you I’d find you.”
“And how did you manage that?”
Instead of answering, I pushed off the door and inclined my head for him to follow. We weren’t going far, but I wasn’t about to chance going through the front and having the dean shut down this little rendezvous before I had a chance to win him over.
The second we were out the doors, the commotion of the city greeted us, the drilling of a construction site and car horns familiar and comforting. I hooked a right toward our destination, and JT jogged a little to catch up.
“Where are we going?” he asked.
“Not far.”
“I only have an hour—”
“Skipping a class won’t kill you. You’re in college to live a little, right?”
When he balked, I let out a low laugh.
“Don’t worry, golden boy—I’ll deliver you to your next class on time.”
As Atlas at Park Avenue came into view, I nodded at the doorman, who promptly let us inside. We were quickly led to a table looking out onto the street.
JT followed my lead, napkin in his lap and washing up with the hot towel we’d been given. He swallowed as he looked around, and I settled back in my chair, following his gaze. Polished wood that gleamed in the light, low-lit chandeliers, and high-backed chairs fit for a king.
“They know you by name here, don’t they?” he said.
“You should be glad they do, or we’d never make it back on time.”
JT’s incredulous expression had me biting back a smile, especially when he glanced down at the menu and choked on his water.
“You all right?”
“Uh…this is nice and all… I mean, better than nice, it’s fancy as hell, but I’d be fine with a food truck.”
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
“I just…” A flush crept into his cheeks as he looked back at the menu and lowered his voice. “I can’t afford even an appetizer here.”
“Doesn’t matter. I can.”
“I’m not letting you pay for my food, West.”
“Letting me,” I mused, running my finger over my lower lip. “That’s cute.”
One of JT’s unruly brown curls fell over his forehead, and he batted it away, which I didn’t mind at all, since it showcased more of his face. And it was a gorgeous face. I couldn’t deny that. This bet wasn’t exactly a hardship on my part, not with this view. Beneath his dark brows were warm brown eyes that reflected an innocence I wasn’t sure I’d ever had, and don’t even get me started on the pouty lips framed by a smattering of facial hair that I knew would feel fucking amazing on my skin.
“So that’s your deal, then?”
I’d been so caught up in checking out my lunch “date” that I’d completely lost track of the conversation. “What’s that?”
“That you just do what you want, whenever you want?”
I swept my eyes down over him. “Don’t forget who.”
JT’s eyes narrowed a fraction, and I wondered if he was a) trying to work out my angle or b) whether or not I was flirting with him. But as he lowered his gaze to the menu, the slight flush on his cheeks told me it was definitely the latter.
He cleared his throat, and seeing his skittish reaction had me pulling back a little. It wasn’t that he seemed turned off or upset by my once-over, more like…confused. So I decided to ease up a bit, throw him a lifeline, so he wouldn’t bolt like some startled animal now that I finally had him where I wanted him.
I leaned across the table as though I was about to impart a secret. “The bone-marrow-crusted beef tenderloin is delicious, if you’re into that kind of thing.”
JT snorted. “For lunch? Who are you?”
“You already know that.”
He held my stare, his bravado back in full force. “One of the Park Avenue Princes?”
Oh, hello, looks like someone has been asking around about me too.
“And you think I’m a stalker.”
The flush instantly returned.
“I wasn’t stalking you. That implies following. You’re the one who was outside my classroom—”
“And you’re the one who suddenly knows what everyone calls us.” I leaned back in my chair and arched a brow. “Been asking around about me?”
“No.”
“You sure about that?”
“Yes. Who would I ask? Why would I ask?”
I shrugged, running one of my fingers down the condensation on my glass of water. “I would if some good-looking guy was buying me coffee and lunch.”
JT’s mouth fell open, then he shook his head. “I don’t know which part of that sentence to start with first—the fact that you just called yourself good looking or that you’re talking like this is a…a…”
“Date?”
“This is not a date.” JT shifted in his seat. “It’s lunch with a friend. That’s what you said.”
I chuckled, not put out in the slightest. “I know. I was just making sure you remembered that. Since you were asking around about me and all.”
“I was not asking around about you.” When he caught my shit-eating grin, he blew out a breath. “You’re an asshole.”
“And you’re too uptight. Relax, JT. You’re having lunch in one of the best places in New York, and I’m paying—as a friend—so enjoy yourself. You do know how to do that, right?”
“I’m sure I can manage.”
“That’s a no.”
“It’s not a no, it’s just, well, it’s hard to step out of line.”
“I get that, but what the dean doesn’t know won’t hurt her or you. It’s just lunch.”
“With a prince, apparently.”
The term Park Avenue Princes had been bestowed upon our group practically from birth. That was the way things went in the upper crust of New York. The fact our families all had boys just made the label all the more fitting. So did the fact we were richer than Midas and could get practically anything we wanted.
Which had my eyes wandering back to my new “friend.”
“I mean, I don’t have my crown on me right now. But if you’re nice to me, I might show you later.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“A ridiculous asshole.” I placed my hand over my heart. “That kind of hurts.”
“I’m sure you’ve been called worse.”
“I know I have been.”
JT let out a loud laugh and looked down at the menu. “God, what I wouldn’t give to have your confidence for a day.”
“Hey, that’s what I’m offering you. The chance to have a fun, exciting college experience, not some boring, run-of-the-mill shit. Confidence comes with fun, exciting stuff.”
“Like being a ridiculous asshole?”
“Exactly.”
“Okay, then, I’ll have the bone-marrow-crusted beef tenderloin and whatever the most expensive, outrageous dessert on that menu is.”
I sat up in my chair and gestured for the waiter. “Now that’s the spirit.”
After we placed our orders, I took a long sip of my sparkling water and licked my lips.
“So, JT. Let’s say you got stuck in an elevator with someone for hours—”
“What?”
“Who would be the person you’d choose to be stuck with?”
A line formed between JT’s brows. “I wouldn’t want to be stuck in an elevator, period.”
“Okay, then a deserted island.” The line deepened, and I waved a hand. “An escape room. Whatever.”
“You want to know who I like enough to be locked up with, got it. Hmm… A couple of months ago I would’ve said my ex, but I guess maybe Corey. He’s been my best friend since middle school.”
“He didn’t want to attend Astor?”
“No, he went into the military, same as his dad.”
“And this ex—”
“Elise.”
Yep, straight as an arrow, this one. “What happened with her? Lemme guess—you broke her heart.”
“Why would you think that?”
“You’ve got a heartbreaker look about you,” I said, winking.
“Definitely not.” He rubbed at his jaw. “It wasn’t anything bad. We just dated in high school, then she went to California for college and I’m here. Neither of us wanted to do the long-distance thing, so…” He shrugged. “What about you?”
“Who would I want to be stuck in an elevator with?”
“Well, that, yeah, and I’m sure you’ve got a girlfriend or two—”
Booming laughter escaped my throat at his insinuation, and I shook my head.
“What’s so funny?”
“The idea of me with a female. Not my thing, golden boy.”
“Oh. So then…a boyfriend?”
I chuckled again. “That’s almost as funny.”
“Why?”
“The idea of a long-term anything doesn’t really appeal to me.”
“Because…?”
“Why settle for one person when you could settle for one a night?”
JT’s brows shot up past the curls that had fallen back onto his forehead. “That’s appealing to you? A parade of strangers in your bed?”
“Who said anything about my bed?”
“Okay, their bed—”
“Is a mattress absolutely necessary for you?” I said, amusement curling my lips.
“Oh my God, you’re killing me.”
“If you haven’t tried bent over a kitchen counter, you really should.”
The scandalized look on JT’s face had me laughing again. This was more fun than I’d anticipated.
“Okay, so you aren’t a relationship guy. Who would be in that elevator with you, then? Some faceless stranger, or is there anyone you actually care about?”
I ran my eyes over him, down the thin silver chain he wore over a plain t-shirt, and knew exactly who I wouldn’t mind being confined with. But I held that thought back for now. It wasn’t something I was familiar with, holding back, but putting too much pressure on JT wouldn’t get me anywhere. I had to play this one right.
“East is my ride or die, so I guess I’m required to throw his name out. We don’t do well in confined spaces, though. He’d probably run his mouth, and I’d either have to strangle him with his ascot or stuff it down his throat, so there you go.”
JT chuckled as our food was placed in front of us. “And that’s your best friend?”
“And roommate, yeah.”
“I thought you didn’t do well in confined spaces?”
“A few thousand square feet—and the ability to leave whenever—goes a long way to help with that.”
JT let out a moan around his fork as the beef hit his taste buds. Fucking food truck, my ass.
“Trust me now?” I said, cutting into my own.
“Oh yeah. Holy shit that’s good.”
“Better than a hot dog off the street?”
“Hey, don’t knock the hot dogs, but…hell yes.”
As he speared another forkful, I could feel the wall he’d thrown up around me dipping slightly.
“Out of curiosity, who told you about us?”
JT swallowed and dabbed his napkin at his lips. “Sorry?”
“You didn’t hear the nickname out of thin air.”
“Oh. Just some guy I met at the coffee bar after you left. Caleb, I think he said.”
“Caleb Reeves?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Slouchy beanie, always has a rip in his jeans and a camera?”
“Yeah, actually. I didn’t notice a camera, though.”
Oh, Caleb, that interfering motherfucker. “What else did he say?”
JT seemed to debate whether to tell me, and that was when I knew it was nothing good. Figured.
“He didn’t seem to think it was a good idea for me to hang out with you.”
“Yeah, I imagine he’d say that. I’m glad you didn’t take his advice.”
“Is there something I should know about between you? Is he one of your one-night stands that you blew off?”
“Fuck no, I’ve never touched Caleb Reeves. Trust me on that.” I took a long swallow of water, hoping it would cleanse that notion right outta my head. “It’s not me he has an issue with. I’m guilty by association, so don’t take that advice too personally.”
JT gestured to his almost-empty plate. “Doesn’t look like I did, does it?”
“See? I’m not that bad.”
“Yeah, I guess, or maybe it was just the promise of something better than a stale sandwich.”
“Ouch. You’ve got quite a tongue on you there.” One I wouldn’t mind playing with mine.
“Someone’s got to keep you grounded.”
“Oh, I see, and that’s going to be you?”
JT popped the last bit of beef into his mouth and shrugged. “What are friends for?”
Indeed. I mean, if I looked at my friends I’d say getting into and out of trouble, partying, and generally getting up to no good. But if JT wanted to volunteer to try to keep me “grounded,” I wouldn’t shut him down.
“True. I could use a friend like you.”
“Wait, I thought this friendship was to help me out.”
“Why can’t it be mutual?”
JT placed his utensils on the plate and took a sip of his water. “I don’t know. I’ve got nothing really to contribute, do I? It’s not like I can repay you tomorrow with a fancy lunch.”
“We’re going to lunch tomorrow?”
JT’s mouth parted, and a frown creased his brow. “You know what I mean. I don’t have anything to offer. I have no friends, no palatial condo—”
“I thought you were offering to be my voice of reason?” I smirked. “I don’t have one of those. So, see, you do have something to offer.”
“That makes me sound boring as hell.”
“Which is why you need me. I’m not boring, and you’re not reckless. Maybe we can meet somewhere in the middle.”
“At a restaurant I can’t even buy an appetizer at? That’s some middle ground.”
I laughed and tossed my napkin on the table beside my plate. “Okay, then how about this. The guys and I have tickets to see Arrhythmia tomorrow. Why don’t you come with? That’s pretty normal, right? You have been to a concert before, haven’t you?”
“Yeah, I can remember a few.”
“Again, this is why you need me. If you can remember the night then you weren’t having a good time.”
I could see the wheels turning.
“Arrhythmia?”
“Mhmm. You like them?”
“Doesn’t everyone?”
“Well, all the cool kids at least.”
“God,” JT groaned. “You did not just say that.” But then he started to laugh.
“Look, I have a spare ticket and it’ll be fun. It starts at eleven. You can get away from school, meet even more friends, and, you know, enjoy yourself.”
I could see he was tempted—it was right there in his eyes as his smile finally caught up to them.
“I don’t know, it’s a school night, and—”
“Are you kidding right now?”
“No. My mom—”
“Is the dean, blah blah, I know.”
“Right, but also, there’s security and curfew at the dorms on weekdays.”
Such a sweet, naïve boy. It was going to be so much fun corrupting him.
“You think we can’t get past a little security?” I winked at him. “I told you, I’m going to teach you how to have fun. The question is, are you going to let me?”
