Laurel

 

“Thank you, Laurel, for covering for me tonight,” Dan says. We’re both standing behind the counter where we work in the library at Emory University.

I try not to fidget, but it’s difficult when he’s near, so I lace my hands in front of me.

“No problem. I’m happy to help.”

Honestly, I don’t want to be stuck at the campus library until midnight on a Friday, but I couldn’t bring myself to say no to Dan when he asked me to cover his shift. It’s not like I have anything better to do.

“Hey…” He raises his eyebrows as if he’s thought of a brilliant idea. “You should come watch us play tomorrow night and hang out with me afterward.”

“Really?” I ask excitedly.

“Yeah, several employees are coming to the show, Candice included.” He pushes back his long, dark hair, but it’s thin and silky, so it falls back in his face.

I try not to slouch, but I can’t help it. Dan has a thing for our coworker Candice. I can’t deny it any longer, but maybe if I hang out with him more often, he’ll notice me instead. Straightening my posture, I smile.

“That sounds cool. I’d love to hear your band play.”

“Great. What’s your number? I’ll text you the info.” He pulls out his phone, and my smile morphs into a grin. He wants my phone number. This has to be a good sign.

I give him my digits, and he types them into his cell. My iPhone vibrates on the counter, so I pick it up and read his message.

“Cool. I’ll see you tomorrow night then,” I say.

He squeezes my shoulder. “Thanks again for covering for me. You’re the best. Our set starts in an hour, so I better take off.”

“Good luck,” I reply as he strides away. I watch him pull a brown beanie from his back pocket and cover his head with it before he’s out of sight. He’s attractive and nice, and I wish he thought of me as more than a friend.

The lower-level of the library is quieter now, which equates to boring. It’s 8:00 p.m., and there are still students here but not many since it’s October, when most of them are headed to football games and frat parties.

I love working at the library, but I need a social life. Maybe going out tomorrow night will be good for me.

Shit, can I spare a few bucks for beer? I can afford it if I eat ramen noodles and sandwiches all next week, and I have a feeling it’ll be worth it.

“He’s never going to date you,” a male’s voice says.

Realizing I’m staring at the door Dan exited, I jerk my head back to face whoever’s speaking to me at the half-moon-shaped counter.

He smirks, and I don’t appreciate his comment or his handsome face.

“Can I help you?” I ask unpleasantly.

“I was trying to help you, but from your tone, I see that would fall on deaf ears.”

Jason Nichols… He’s in one of my classes, and somehow, we run into each other often. I guess it’s been happening since freshman year. He even hit on me once at a party, but I’m pretty sure he was too drunk to remember.

Jason … cocky and almost irresistible.

“Do you know Dan?” I ask.

“No, but I do know what his words and behavior were conveying.”

I roll my eyes. “And what would that be?”

Moving closer to the counter, he repositions his black backpack over his shoulder. I flinch as he reaches for me and squeezes my shoulder the same way Dan did.

“You make a great female friend who I can use when it suits me,” he says mockingly. I cock my head and glare, but then he releases my arm and skims the back of his hand down my cheek.

He pins me with an intense gaze, his sky-blue eyes latched on so tightly to mine that I lose my ability to breathe.

“When your mere presence cements a guy’s feet to the floor … when he experiences tunnel vision every time he sees your gorgeous face … when his craving to touch you is beyond reason, and he can’t stop his hands or mouth from trying to, he’s into you. He won’t be asking you to cover his shifts at work.”

I swallow. It’s loud and embarrassing, and what the fuck is happening right now?

“Um, melodramatic much? It’s not like I want to have Dan’s babies.” Needing to gain some level of control, I grip my hip and stare into Jason’s baby blues. “Is there something I can help you with that actually concerns you?”

Knitting his brow, he steps back and straightens.

“The USB ports aren’t working on the red sectional back there.” He points toward the commons area. “It’s the couch with the white circles on it.”

“Thanks. I’ll be sure to let someone know.”

He continues to stare at me with his smoldering eyes. They’re not deep-set. No, they’re front and center and sit below a thick head of blond hair. It’s a coarser texture than Dan’s. “Was there something else you needed?”

He grins. “No, that was it.”

“Great. Have a nice night.”

“Oh, I plan on it.” His gaze lingers … and lingers, and so does his seductive smile. Jesus.

Looking away, so he’ll go the fuck away, I pretend to type something important on my keyboard. I swear, arrogance has a scent, and this fella left it in his wake. It’s a fresh shower fragrance, which suits his clean-cut appearance.

Needing to get away from the service counter, I decide to check the USB ports he claimed were broken. Strolling through level one, I find the red sectional.

I spot a couple of drink stains on the hard cushion, along with something white and crusty, and knowing Jason, he was probably getting stiff with a girl on this stiff piece of furniture.

I glance around, and there’s only one female nearby. She’s gorgeous like him, so I’m probably right. I’ll admit I’m a little prejudiced against those with breathtaking beauty.

As much as you hate the urge, you can’t help but stare at their faces, sort of the way Jason described, but you know they’ll notice if you admire them for too long.

People have told me I’m pretty, but I don’t see it, and that’s not the same as breathtaking. I guess I shouldn’t hold it against them since they’re born that way. It’s not like they had a say in their inherited genes.

I check the first port built into the furniture, and it works. OK … moving on, I check the other ones, and they work, as well.

I glance around, wondering if I’m at the wrong sectional, but based on his description, this is the right one.

Surely, he’s not all looks but no brains. That’d be a shame. He contributes the bare minimum in our poetry class, so I can’t say for sure.

What I do know is that after our little chat tonight, I find him intriguing. I’ll give him that.