“Would you hate me if I skipped the frat party?” Fidgeting, I pluck at the bottom of my t-shirt.

“Whaaat? You promised you’d go. Amelia won’t be there and you’re my last line of defense against Clancy. I need you there.”

“I know I said I would go, but there’s something else I want to do instead.”

“Well, spill the beans and I’ll decide if it’s a good enough reason to ditch your bestie.” Leah aims a stern gaze my way, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Trevor told me he would be at the library tonight and I was thinking of surprising him.”

“Oooh, so that’s how it is. What happened to chicks before dicks?”

“Really?”

Leah laughs, “Just kidding. I think it’s a great idea. I can forgive you for not going to the party if you make the most of this opportunity.”

“How should I do that?”

She taps her lips with her index finger. “I think you should grab him a coffee on the way.”

“Really?” I curl my lip upward.

“Yes. Do you like him or not?”

“I do.”

“Then you need to show him. Bringing something would be a thoughtful gesture. Especially after all the whiplash you’ve given the poor guy. And he might be tired after school all day and practice.”

“You think bringing him a coffee says I like you?” Who knew?

“I think jumping his bones would be better, but I know that’s not going to happen,” she snorts.

I roll my eyes. “How about I bring him a coffee and save the bone jumping for another time?”

I nervously clutch the cardboard tray holding the two cups of coffee. One for Trevor and one for me. My stomach is flip flopping anxiously and my legs are shaking so much I’m afraid I’ll stumble with each step I take.

Why did I let Leah convince me this was a good idea?

Oh my God. What if he’s with someone else? Why didn’t I think of this before now?

I’ll die of humiliation if he’s with another girl. This is why I generally don’t put myself out there with guys. I can’t deal with the anxiety and insecurity it stirs within me. Feeling this way sucks.

As I walk around the library searching for Trevor, the inside of my stomach continues to spin and bubble like a whirlpool. Can everyone hear the strange noises it’s making? I hope not because feeling anxious and insecure is enough without adding embarrassed to the mix.

There’s no sign of Trevor anywhere. Maybe he’s not here and I came for nothing. Wouldn’t that be just my luck. I finally get the courage to show Trevor I like him and now I can’t find him. I’d laugh at the irony if I wasn’t so worried. His plans could’ve changed since I saw him this morning.

Not holding onto any hope of finding him, I wander into one last section on the second story. The soles of my sneakers scuff against the scarred wooden floors as I drag my feet. I’m about to give up my search when I notice his dark head bent forward, his fingers flying madly over the keyboard on his MacBook. The buds in his ears keep him from hearing my approach and give me time to study his handsome features without him realizing.

His mussed, chocolate brown hair clues me in that he’s been raking his fingers through it. Maybe he’s been tugging on the thick strands with frustration, but from the way his fingertips are furiously typing, he’s not suffering from writer’s block.

A black World Class Wrestling Gunn Club t-shirt hugs his torso, wrapping tightly around his bulging biceps. The long sleeves are pushed up below his elbows revealing muscular forearms with veins trailing under his golden skin. Staring at his arms reminds me of the weekend in the Hamptons and the awe inspiring sight of his bare chest. I lost my breath the first time I saw him without a shirt. The Boston Terriers tattoo on his chest was unexpected and looked unbelievably sexy. He was solid, as if carved out of granite, but hot to the touch. I thought I’d go up in flames when we landed pressed together on the sand. My body was engulfed in a wave of heat from my head to my toes.

Slowly I approach, hesitant to disturb him when he’s working hard and so obviously in the zone. I gnaw on my bottom lip, fraught with indecision. I pause, my nostrils pinching as I drag in a deep breath. What if I he doesn’t want me here, but he’s too nice to say so? Or maybe he’ll think I’m some stalker chick because I showed up where I knew he’d be. I don’t want him to think I’m desperate or pathetic. Can bringing him a coffee be interpreted as such?

“Grace.” He beams, showing off his even, white teeth that will surely gain him a toothpaste endorsement when he goes pro. The sheer joy on his face has my insides spinning like Taz, himself. Reflexively, I smile back and utter his name in a hoarse tone while closing the gap between us.

Trevor pats the chair beside him and rises to his feet. “Come sit down.” Shifting around the end of the large rectangular table, I sit on the seat he’s pulled out and set the tray down. Slipping the backpack strap free from my arm, I lower it to the floor.

“Thank you.” I smile.

He fluidly sinks onto his chair and angles his upper body toward me. “This is a pleasant surprise.” His eyes glide down to the tray of coffees before sweeping back up to mine. He quirks a dark brow. “Is one of those for me, or are you in need of some serious caffeine?”

“Oh...I…” I shake my head, my cheeks on fire with embarrassment, and wiggle his cup free from the tray. “This is for you.” I slide the coffee along the tabletop until it’s next to his hand and then focus on removing my own. I push the tray to the side and grip the paper cup between both palms. What now?

Trevor trails his fingers over the back of my hand. “Thank you, Grace. This is one of the nicest things anyone’s done for me.”

“Really?” All I did was bring him a coffee.

He nods. “As grateful as I am for your company, I’m surprised to see you.” He holds me captive with his intent stare. I can’t look away, no matter how much I’d like to. I know this is the moment I need to tell him why I’m here, but doing so involves taking an enormous leap of faith and that frightens me.

What if he doesn’t want me? I’m worried it might be too late and I ruined any chance of being with him.

His fingers close around the top of my hand gently squeezing. “Grace, you can talk to me.” His lips curve into a reassuring smile. “You can say anything you want.”

“I did a lot of thinking since you kissed me Friday night.” He nods encouragingly for me to continue. Inhaling raggedly, I go on, “I like you.”

“You like me?” he cuts me off from saying more. His tone is so hopeful I can’t hold back the smile.

“Yep, I do. Don’t ask me why, but I—” He cups the back of my head, cutting off the rest of my reply with his lips on mine. Softly, he nips the plump curve of my bottom lip, his tongue teasing along the same path. I grip his hair, fingers clutching the thick, short strands as I meet his tongue with mine. Languidly we learn each other’s taste, moaning and sighing with relief at finally reaching this point. I wasn’t sure we’d ever get here. This kiss is the opposite of the first one we shared. Anger and frustration were the motivations for that. This kiss is a celebration, a glimmer of what’s to come. Neither of us knows what the future holds, but sharing this moment feels as necessary as drawing my next breath.

Trevor cups my cheeks and draws back, resting his forehead on mine. “What were you saying about liking me?”

“I can’t remember.”

He digs his fingers into my side, tickling me. “Do you remember now?”

“Stop,” I giggle. “It’s all coming back to me.”

“I’m dying to hear.”

Smoothing a hand over my hair, I try to gather my thoughts. “I’m not good at expressing myself or letting people in. And giving someone like you a chance scares the bejesus out of me.”

“Someone like me?”

“Handsome, athletic, popular, intelligent, do I need to continue?”

“I don’t remember asking you to stop,” he quips.

“You’re also thoughtful and caring, it just took me longer to notice.”

“Does this mean I can take you out on a date?”

I smile. “What do you think?”

“Now that I know how you feel there’s no way I’m letting you refuse. Let’s get the work portion out of the way so I can kiss you some more.” He taps the tip of my nose with his index finger.

“I think that’s a great idea.”

We spend the next two hours finishing up our school work before we pack our laptops away and head outside.

“I’m walking you home.”

“Are you asking me or telling me?”

“I’m telling you. There’s no way I’m allowing you to walk back to your dorm alone, especially in the dark. I protect what’s mine.” He arrogantly raises a brow my way.

“I appreciate the sentiment, but you need to work on your delivery. It’s rather cavemanish to say I’m yours. We’ve barely begun whatever this is between us.”

“It doesn’t matter. You’ve been mine since I first saw you. It just took you some time to catch on.”

“That’s really sweet in a brutish way.”

“You just summed me up perfectly.”

“A sweet brute?”

“You got it.”

“You do go balls to the wall when you play. I like watching you.”

“You do, huh? I like watching you too, and not just when you play.” He winks.

“And you can be sweet when you want to be.”

He leans over, nuzzling his lips below my ear. “You taste sweet. Want to come back to my place?”

“Nice try, but that’s not happening. We need to get to know each other before we get to know each other.”

“We should try working in reverse order. I bet it would be a lot of fun. And you know sometimes it’s good to change up your routine.”

I shake my head. “Not happening, Lincoln. If you really want to date me, then you’re damn sure going to work for it. Are you man enough for the challenge?”

“I’m the man for whatever you need.”

I clasp his hand and his eyes flicker with surprise as my fingers slot between his. “Come on. Show me I made the right choice and walk me home.”

“Okay, Red. I like it when you’re aggressive.” He grins and wiggles his brows. “Is this what I can expect when I finally get you in my bed?”

“I think I’ll skip answering that and let you wonder.”

“I’ll add it to the long list of things that I ruminate over when I lie in my bed at night.”

“What do you think about? Whether there’s life in outer space? Do you believe in the multiverse theory?”

He laughs, “Fuck no. My thoughts are more along the lines of whether you sleep naked and where all your freckles are located.”

I giggle, “I don’t know why, but I imagined you’re a sci-fi fan.”

“I like sci-fi, but I’m more of a sports fan. I geek out over professional wrestling.”

“Do you watch World Class Wrestling?”

“That’s like asking me if I breathe. Of course I do. I’m a huge Gunn Club fan. Jesse, Wyatt, Ronnie, and me are tight. They wanted me to be the fourth member of the Gunn Club, but with my football commitments I had to turn them down.”

“There’s always next time. If football doesn’t work out for you it’s good to have options.”

“Right. See? I have a plan.”

“What are you planning to do once you graduate?”

“Hopefully I’ll be drafted into the NFL, but if not I plan on teaching middle school English.”

“Wow, that’s really surprising to hear.” I’m impressed that he chose such a noble profession. And I’m a little disturbed that the idea of him standing in front of a classroom full of kids is so attractive to me. Thinking about it is making my stomach curl with longing.

“Why? You don’t think I’ll make a good teacher?”

“No, I think you’re someone who can do whatever you set your mind to, but I pegged you as some wheeling and dealing business man.”

He laughs, “Not even close. The cutthroat business world isn’t for me. I’ll leave that to my dad. I’m a lover not a fighter.”

We continue strolling along, our hands still joined and I’m surprised by how much I’m enjoying his company. I shouldn’t be, because he’s always fun to be around. But somehow this feels like I’m seeing less of a facade and more of the real Trevor. He’s the life of the party kind of guy, but I want to see more of this side of him. The guy who’s interested in my life and asks me questions. The one who pays attention when I speak. I don’t need him to be the funniest person in the room. I just need him to be present with me when we’re together.

Once my building is in sight, I’m tempted to drag my feet and slow down. I’m not ready for this to end. Tonight has been amazing and I’m greedy for more time with him.

He directs me over to stand in front of a closed business. His hand releases mine so his arms can band around my back and hold me close to his chest. Leaning down, he drags the tip of his nose back and forth over mine and pauses with his lips hovering close to my own. “I don’t want this night to end.”

“I was just thinking the same thing.”

“Are you sure I can’t convince you to come home with me? We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to, Trevor.”

He groans. “Don’t tell me that, Red. I’m trying to behave.”

“If you’re serious about dating me and wanting more than sex, then we need to wait. When the time’s right, we’ll know.”

“Is there ever a wrong time for sex?”

“Trevor.” My tone is the same one I’d use if a child was testing me.

He rests his forehead on mine. “I know. I know. You’d think I’d be used to blue balls by now. I’ve had them since we met.”

“We’re only beginning to date. I think it’s too soon to talk about your balls. You have no boundaries. We might have to work on that.”

“Are you saying I’m inappropriate?”

“Yes, you can be.”

“You’re damn right I am. I’m going to lure you over to the dark side with me, Red. And oh what fun it’s going to be getting you there.”