I have been stalking Derek on Facebook. Scott heard he's back home after graduating college, working at the Home Depot. According to Derek's status, he's working later today. And I've decided it's time to spruce up my room. It actually could use a lot of work. I've been meaning to paint over the boring taupe walls for a while. And I want to continue purging my life from my time with Adam. No more boring Amanda. I want something bold and bright in here.

Thankfully, Derek doesn't have a girlfriend, or I'd have had to choose someone else. Or skip him altogether. I check the time and curse. Scott will be here any minute. I spent too much time checking out the shirtless pictures on Derek's profile. If he wasn't so hot and didn't have such a glorious torso, he'd look like a complete douche for all his mirror and gym selfies.

I dress in tiny cutoff shorts and a blue tank, sliding my feet into wedge sandals so my legs and ass look hot. I'm nice and tan from all my time laying out on the quad. After checking myself out in the mirror and giving a final pat to my hair, I head outside to wait for Scott.

He pulls up right as I step onto the sidewalk and I slide in, grinning at him. He smiles in response, but his eyes stay solemn.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

He checks his mirrors before easing away from the curb. "Yeah, just tired."

"Do you think I look all right? Or does it look like I'm trying too hard?"

"You look hot. You always look hot."

I flush with pleasure from his words. "Thanks. I'm nervous. The others have been basically strangers. People I'll never see again, especially once we graduate. But Derek will always be here every time I come home."

"Yeah, the guy graduates from college and comes home to work at Home Depot. I guess college ball didn't do much for his career goals." His voice is snide and sarcastic.

I frown at him. "Don't be a snob, Scott."

"You could do better. I know you always had a crush on him, but he was always such an idiot."

"I'm not trying to become his girlfriend. I just want a little one-time fun." I raise my voice a little in protest.

Scott's lips twist. "I know. But still."

"Wasn't he your idea for the list?" My memories are a little vague, the booze and extreme pleasure of the rest of the night making everything before fuzzy.

"Probably. I was drunk. So were you. And here we are."

I frown at his sullen tone. I want to call him on it, especially after everything with the stranger, but I don't want to get into another fight. With our relationship changing so much, I am starting to wonder if this is all worth it. I'm not sure if it was because we blurred the line of friends with our sexy times or if it's the list. Maybe I shouldn't involve him in this quite so much anymore.

He doesn’t seem able to move out of caretaking mode. This is why other people’s best friends are girls, I suppose.

My worries and thoughts fly from my mind as Scott starts acting like his usual self for the rest of the drive. We joke and reminisce, he teases and I pretend to take offense.

He probably is just tired. Graduation is coming soon and classes are a lot more intense right now as we study for finals.

We make it to the Home Depot, and Scott drops me off out front before finding a parking space. It's pretty crowded, so I hope I can find Derek and have a few minutes to drop some not too subtle hints.

I walk through the automatic doors and the scents of fresh lumber and rubber embrace me. I've always loved coming to hardware stores, My dad used to bring me along all the time. It smells like him in here. Of safety and home and special father-daughter time.

First, I wander around the store, my eyes roving for a glimpse of Derek. Like it was meant to be, I find him in the paint section.

I ignore him at first, taking peeks at him as I browse the colors. I'm leaning towards a bright shade of blue. I've gathered a handful of those little paint chip samples before Derek sees and recognizes me.

"Amanda?"

I turn with a little frown on my face. "Yeah?" When I meet his eyes, I smile wide in delight. "Derek?"

He nods, grinning. "How long has it been?"

I nod. "A while. How are you? When did you get back?" Like I don't know the answer to all of that. After my stalking, I probably know more about what he's been up to than he does.

I step in and hug him, pressing my tits into his chest before stepping back.

His eyes dart down to my cleavage before he forces them back to my face. "I'm good. I came back after graduating. Just figuring out my next step."

I imagine Scott's snort of derision from that answer, but shake it off. I don't care about any of that, especially now that I'm in front of him, in person, and he is so fucking hot. Oh. My. Word.

Even better than his pictures. Even in his little orange apron.

"Nice. I bet your parents are happy to have you home."

He rubs the back of his neck, a shadow crossing through his eyes too fast for me to read. "Yeah. So, what about you?"

I lean against the paint chip shelf, crossing my legs in front of me. "I'm graduating soon. Then, I don't know."

"What's your major?" he asks my legs.

Trying not to smile, I say, "Forensic science."

His eyes widen and he looks back up at my face. "Wow. That's pretty cool. So, you're gonna be like Bones or something?"

I hide a cringe. She's a freaking forensic anthropologist. And I won't be chasing down bad guys, I'll be in a lab. "Something like that, yeah." I force a laugh and focus my eyes on his biceps. They're barely contained in his shirtsleeves.

"So, what are you here for?" he asks.

I bite my bottom lip. "Paint. My bedroom needs an update."

"Bedroom, huh?" His tone has a teasing undertone.

I smile wide. "Yup. It's the most important room, after all. I want it to look a little more welcoming and fun."

His grin matches mine. "I see."

"Maybe you can help me decide. I'm thinking blue. But I'm having a hard time picking the right shade. Which color would put you in a good mood?" I hold out the samples, looking up at him through lowered lashes.

He steps close into me and he smells like the store, but even better. I hadn't gotten a whiff from our quick hug before. Derek positions himself so he's looking over my shoulder. His breath brushes against my skin and I shiver. I arch my neck and meet his eyes. He notices. He also notices the abundant amount of cleavage my tiny tank reveals.

I do have glorious breasts. Or so I've been told. Multiple times, now.

Derek reaches around and pulls one of the paint samples. "This color blue would definitely get me in the mood."

I hide my pleased smile and turn to him, brushing my tits against his arm. "I was drawn to that one too. Thank you."

He all but leers at me. "Anytime. And if it doesn't work out quite right, come back and we'll try something else."

"I'll do that."

Feeling smug and excited, I check out with my paint and accept his help carrying my purchases out to the car. I hug him goodbye after he loads the paint in the trunk and his hands grip my low on my waist, almost brushing my ass.

"It was good seeing you," he says into my neck.

I shiver again and step back. "You too. We should catch up soon."

He nods and grins. "I'd like that."

I slip into the car after he heads back to the store, and I grin at Scott. "I got my paint."

"Looks like you got a little more than that."

My brows raise at his annoyed tone. "Not really. It was crowded in there and it's not like I could just ask him to fuck me sometime."

"Why not?" Scott asks. "Trust me, it would have worked just fine."

"Where's the fun in that?" I tease.

"Indeed."

Grumpy Scott is back. Great.

He's probably just pissy because he knows full well he's going to be the one to do all the painting.