Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 86199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
And Elle gets that.
She was a virgin before getting together with her boyfriend, who also happens to be her older brother’s best friend.
“Like I’d lie about something like that.”
She presses against the edge of the table, attempting to bridge some of the distance between us. “Now I really need all the details.”
With a jerk of my shoulders, I glance around, hoping that no one is eavesdropping. “It was just a guy I met at a bar.”
“Umm…excuse me? Since when do you hang out at bars?”
“I was out celebrating with River after a game.”
It’s almost comical the way her brows skyrocket into her hairline. “And River let you go home with some dude? Color me stunned. Seriously.”
“He doesn’t know.”
“Well, that makes way more sense. Doesn’t he normally run off any guy who tries to shoot his shot with you?”
“Yup,” I say with a sigh before waving a hand. “It’s one of the reasons I’m here at Western.”
She takes a sip of her bottled water. “Then I should thank him. Otherwise, we would’ve never met.”
Some of the tension filling me drains away. “I suppose not. Although, it’s doubtful he’d appreciate it.”
“So, when are you going to see this mystery man again? Were numbers exchanged?”
“I just saw him yesterday.” Even thinking about the way he laid his hands on me is enough to have sparks of arousal detonating in the pit of my belly.
“Any chance this will turn into something more than casual?”
I shake my head.
Sadness chases away any of the desire that had bloomed to life inside me. “I don’t think so.” The next words tumble from my mouth before I can stop them. “River would definitely have a problem with him.”
“Let’s be real here, River would have a problem with anyone you dated. That’s just facts.”
The girl isn’t wrong.
“You know that I went through something similar with Brayden? He lost his shit when he found out that Carson and I were sneaking around behind his back. It caused a lot of problems in our relationship. And theirs.”
When she ends her story at that point, I say, “You realize that what you’re saying doesn’t make any of this better, right?”
The edges of her lips quirk. “What has helped is time. He needed to wrap his brain around the fact that I was a grown woman who was more than capable of making her own decisions. And mistakes. River needs to do the same.”
“You’re right. It’s just not an easy conversation to have. He’s my twin and super protective.”
Any humor brimming in her expression or voice falls away. “After Dad died, Brayden felt like he needed to step up and into that role. It was only after he found out about Carson that we got into a massive fight and stopped talking for a bit. That’s when he finally agreed to back off. Sooner or later, River’s going to have to accept that you have your own life to live. And that you won’t be doing it in a convent.”
“He’d be thrilled if I did,” I reluctantly admit.
“That’s too bad. He needs to get with the program.”
Every time I try to tell him that, he refuses to listen. I can’t imagine anything I say having a big enough effect to change his behavior.
My shoulders wilt as those thoughts buzz around in my brain. “Like I said before, I’m not sure if it’ll go anywhere with this guy.”
She waggles her brows. “Well, I certainly hope you enjoy finding out.”
“Hey, Elle!” a curvy girl with bouncy brown hair calls out with a wave as she makes her way in our direction. The girl she’s with has long, straight hair that’s the color of mahogany.
“Hi, Brooke!” Elle glances at the other girl before smiling at her. “Juliette! I haven’t seen you for a while.” Elle turns to me before making introductions. “This is Willow. She transferred to Western last fall. Willow, this is Brooke and Juliette.”
“Hi, it’s really nice to meet you.” My gaze bounces between the two.
They both seem friendly and approachable.
Although, if they’re close with Elle, I can’t imagine anything else being true. She surrounds herself with good people.
My gaze resettles on Juliette.
There’s something strangely familiar about her. I don’t know if I’ve seen her around campus or if we’ve had a class together. Is it possible that she’s popped into the tutoring center for help?
The little tickle at the back of my brain refuses to be dismissed.
With a tilt of my head, my eyes stay locked on Juliette. “You look really familiar. Have we met before? Maybe had a class together?”
Brooke pats her friend on the shoulder. “Unless you’re pre-med, probably not. Little miss smarty pants here is heavy on the sciences, which is exactly why you won’t see her around at a lot of the parties.”
Guess I can cross tutoring center off the list.