“You’re sleeping in his bed? You kissed him?” Jane and I are seated in the off-campus coffee shop. Our laptops and books are spread out all over the table. It’s a nice break from the library since we can actually chat out loud. Since it’s raining, the place is fairly empty. The only other person around is a hooded student quietly working on the other side of the room.
“I couldn’t help myself. I can’t resist him! He’s literally irresistible.” I take a sip of Brazilian dark roast. The mug is so big I need both hands.
“How did this happen?”
“Well, where do I start?” I put my mug down. “He’s fun to be around. He’s got deep feelings and a good heart. He’s just…wonderful.”
“And sexy.”
“That too.”
“And have you guys, you know…?” Jane smiles devilishly. Her curious eyes watch me carefully as if any subtle expression will give her the answer she’s looking for.
My heart flutters at the thought of it. “No.”
“But you want to.” She grabs her glass of iced coffee and sips from a metal straw.
“Well, yeah. Who wouldn’t?”
“Obviously everybody who has eyes and a libido. But this is different.”
“How?”
She looks into my eyes. “You’re sleeping in his bed. You kissed him. This means you like him. You love him.”
“I—” I’m about to deny it but she’s right.
“What do you think will happen between you two?”
“I don’t know. We haven’t spoken about it. He’s been gone since it happened and it’s not really something I want to talk about over text.”
“Well, you guys ended the contract, right?”
The contract. Right. Fuck.
I bite my lip and give her an innocent shrug.
“Riley!” She puts her drink down and grabs my arm with her ice-cold hand. “You didn’t end the contract?”
“Shh.” I look around, making sure the hooded guy at the next table isn’t listening. “What do I do?”
“Talk to him about it!”
“What if he doesn’t like me that way?”
“He kissed you, didn’t he?”
“Yeah but that doesn’t mean I can upgrade to his…real girlfriend,” I whisper those last words.
“What’s the alternative? Not talk about it until the contract’s up? That’s just confusing and messy.”
“I know.” I rub my face. This was not the dilemma I needed on a day planned out for studying.
I look at my notes which are all color-coded and divided into sections based on half-hour work sessions. According to the schedule I pre-planned for myself, I’m already two sessions behind.
Damn you, Logan Drake. Quit distracting me from my schoolwork!
“Are we ready for another study session?” I ask.
“You’re not really changing the subject that fast, are you?”
“This may come as a shock for you, but I actually do need to study during my study sessions.”
Jane sighs. “Fine. But you can’t just drop a bomb like that and expect me not to talk about it! This discussion isn’t over.”
I smirk.
Jane gets up. “Do you want more coffee before we start our session?”
“Yes, please.” I hand over my massive mug.
Jane makes her way up to the counter, giving me a brief moment of privacy. Discretely grabbing my phone from my backpack, I check it under the table. I have a text from Logan. Just seeing his name makes my belly flip.
LOGAN: I’m back in town at the end of the week. Come watch me play?
My eyes drift up to my color-coded study schedule. I’m already way too behind. I type back.
RILEY: I’ve got a ton of work to do.
LOGAN: The game’s not until the end of the week. You’ve got plenty of time. Besides, the game won’t be the same without my lady luck.
I smile. There’s something extremely sexy about being his lady luck. There’s something extremely sexy about being his anything.
Jane is walking back over with our drinks. I type quickly.
RILEY: Well, in that case, I’ll try to get it all done in time.
Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I put it out of sight. I don’t need any more distractions from Logan and I definitely don’t need any prying from Jane.
“Here we are.” Jane places the drinks on the table. “One iced coffee and a latte.”
“Thank you, my hero.”
“And before our session begins, I need to use the ladies room.” Jane saunters away.
I look back at my notes. I manage to read two paragraphs before my mind drifts to Logan. I think about his lips, his hands around my waist, and the look in his eyes after we kissed. That wild, seductive stare that looked like he was ready to devour me right then and there.
My phone buzzes, vibrating against my thigh. I bite back a smile because I know it’s him. I fish the phone out of my pocket.
God, I have zero self-control.
I look at the message. It’s from Logan, as I expected. He sent me a happy face. I smile as I tuck my phone into my purse. Maybe I’ll be less distracted if I keep it there instead. As I place the phone somewhere safe, my hand brushes against my wallet and I feel the sharp edges of the contract poking out. My fingers settle on the edges of the paper for a moment before I look back at my notes.
Two days until I see him. Two days until I ask him about it.
As I exhale, I pull my fingers from the contract, push Logan out of my mind, and direct my focus back on my work.
