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I’m waiting. Waiting to see what he’ll say or why he thinks kicking someone’s boot is the most appropriate form of greeting.
He grins, his dimples flashing. Then he throws his notebook on my lap.
Oh my God.
I clear my throat when I realize he drew me reading. All the details are there—my boots, the soft waves in my hair, the small vee between my brows as I stare at my book in concentration.
And he’s talented—beyond talented.
He nailed the features of my face: narrow eyes and nose, high cheekbones, heart-shaped lips. He even caught the studs and hoop earrings I have on each ear, although he missed the gemstone fitted in the top crook of one ear.
“You’re really good,” I say, flattered, my eyes unable to tear away from his drawing.
Is this how people see me? This drawing of me is beautiful. ..
“Good enough to get your number?”
His witty comment makes me smile as I watch him sit down awfully close to me. I hand him back his notebook, eager to see more of his work, but I don’t want to impose.
“Do I get to keep the drawing?” I ask, hopeful.
“I’ll tell you what. Let me draw more of you, then you can have this one.” He smiles. “There’s a party tonight. You should come with me...”
“Exams are coming up,” I say instead of what I should say, that partying with strangers doesn’t really sound like something I want to do tonight. But his invitation? It makes my heart beat a little faster.
He shrugs. “So, I’ll help you study. What’re you majoring in?”
“Environmental sciences. Minor in biology.”
He chuckles. “Fuck it, never mind. I’m in arts. But I can be there for moral support.” His dimples show as he says this, his black boot leaning against mine.
I shake my head. This guy is trouble. He’s too beautiful, and he knows all the right things to say.
“So what do you say?”
Exams aren’t for the next two weeks. As a junior in college, I know what I can get away with to ace my classes—and partying for one night won’t ruin my grades.
“Can I bring a friend?” I consider the odds of Layla and Gia coming along with me.
He nods, taking my book away from me. “Bring two. That way you won’t feel guilty spending all your time with me.”
His wink just about makes up my mind.
“The things I do for you, Gem. You’re lucky James is busy tonight and couldn’t help me study.” Gia shakes her head and Layla, our best friend, rolls her eyes so hard I fear they might get stuck.
Unlike me, she hasn’t been quiet about telling Gia she’ll regret marrying young one day. Then she topples over, hanging onto my arm to keep from falling face first. Layla and I pregamed, and she hasn’t learned her drinking limit yet.
“I’m sure you studied enough today,” I tell Gia, who narrows her eyes at me.
“This guy better be worth it.”
I don’t answer her. It’s not like I know him anyway. All I have is his name, his number, and the memory of his dimples.
At the house party, Layla gets drunker by the minute while I sip on a beer. I spot him—Harvey—surrounded by the same guy friends I saw earlier, two girls flirting with him. He smiles at one girl before staring at his friend’s phone. Whatever he sees makes him tip his head over and laugh.
He's hot.
Hotter than my book boyfriends could ever be.
