Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
28
AUSTIN
I feel sort of sick to my stomach that I gave Toby my number, but I don’t know why, other than it might be a real date with a guy who surprisingly approached me first. It’s exactly the way I’ve always pictured it, so why do I also feel guilty despite Dex encouraging it? It must be because of my growing, confusing feelings for my best friend. Our experimenting makes me daydream about him, so maybe going out with someone else is a good thing.
If it even happens at all. Just because I gave a guy my number doesn’t mean he’ll follow through. Been there, done that.
I have a full day of classes and work, which helps keep my mind on other things. So when my cell buzzes with a text in the dining hall, I’m surprised to see it’s from Toby.
Coffee date?
I snicker mostly because of nerves but also because I work at a coffee shop, not that I told him that. Still, it’s not a bad idea. It’s better than a three-course meal or movie, especially if it doesn’t go well.
Dex is sitting across from me, chatting with Milo, but I still hide my phone in my lap. Sure! Where do you want to meet?
How about Cup of Joe?
I breathe out in relief that it’s away from campus and any prying eyes.
Sounds good.
After we set a time to meet tomorrow, I blink in shock that I actually made a plan.
“You okay?” Dex asks, and I realize I’ve been lost in my head for who knows how long.
“Yeah, I just… I’ve been texting with Toby. He asked me on a coffee date.”
“That’s good, right?” Dex’s expression doesn’t change, but I do notice him clenching his jaw.
“Sure, I guess…”
“You’ll do great.” His smile is tight. “I bet it’ll be fun.”
“Or at least a good story to tell,” I tease, and he nods.
“You did good, Dex.” Kael lifts his hand to high-five him, but it seems halfhearted from Dex’s end.
“I don’t deserve any praise,” Dex says. “Austin did that all by himself.”
“You helped him with his self-confidence,” Kael replies.
“I just showed him how amazing he already is.”
The butterflies are flapping their wings something fierce when I hear Luna say, “Aww, that’s sweet.”
“Right?” Kael replies. “He’s a good guy.”
Angelica smiles at Dex. “You’d make a good boyfriend.”
“No thanks.” Dex averts his eyes, and the fluttering grows still. Suppose that settles some of the confusion for me. Dex will never want anything more than casual hookups, so I should focus harder on keeping our friendship intact.
I get up from the table first, and Dex decides to walk with me.
He playfully bumps my shoulder. “Don’t forget to use those amazing tongue skills on your future dates.”
“Oh my God, stop!” My face grows hot. “Besides, hooking up on the first date isn’t the best way to establish a relationship.”
He huffs out a laugh. “The 1950s called, they want their sexually repressive mindset back.”
“Shut up.” I can’t help grinning because I know he’s only teasing. “What I mean is, I want to get to know someone before I jump into anything physical.”
“I know that already, silly. And that’s perfectly fine.” Dex grows serious. “What if he wants to kiss you?”
I stop in front of my dorm. “Guess I’ll play it by ear.”
“Good plan. Well…just be yourself, but also don’t be too uptight.”
“Gee, thanks, Dad.”
We part ways, and I head inside to get started on homework.
By the time I’m ready to leave for my date, I’m nervous as shit. But maybe not quite as panicky as I could be, thanks to my dates with Dex.
I get dropped off outside the coffee shop and head inside. Toby is waiting near the counter, and we hug in greeting.
“Thanks for meeting me,” Toby says. “Want to order?”
We get mocha cappuccinos and grab a table near the window. I’m glad for it because the conversation is plenty awkward, and I can stare at people walking by instead of fiddling with the sleeve on the cup. Or should I say the zarf.
A laugh bubbles in my throat, but I hold it back. I consider telling Toby about the real name for the sleeves, but it feels like that inside joke belongs to Dex and me.
Soon enough, he draws me into a conversation about classes and work, and I confess that I’m employed by Bean Necessities.
“Well, shoot. You should’ve told me.”
“Nah, it’s cool. It’s nice to be away from campus.”
The discussion continues from there, but it dawns on me that I don’t feel any sort of spark with Toby. I have no desire to see what he smells like or how his lips taste. Not like I did with Dex. I’m so distracted by that thought that I miss his question.
“What’s that?”
“I said that despite Dex no longer being your roommate, it seems you’ve stayed close friends.” He arches a brow. “Or maybe it’s more?”