Page 114 of Pink and Country

* * *

Stuart University - Freshman year

Winter semester

“I can’t believe I’m so clumsy,” I said out loud, mostly to myself.

A series of curses came out. Nana, my late grandmother’s sister, the one who raised me, wouldn’t be proud of me if she heard me.

My mother got pregnant at sixteen. After she gave birth, she panicked and left me on Nana’s doorstep one morning and disappeared. Nana lost touch with her after I turned six. The last letter she sent to my mother bounced back. Over the years, I never tried to reach out to find her. I had nothing to say to her. And my sperm donor? Nobody even knew who he was. I’d forgiven my mother a long time ago and refused to live with the ghosts from my past.

In my head, and in my heart, Nana would forever be my mom. Biological or not, she’d been my only family growing up. She died last fall, two months after I started college. At eighteen, I was alone in this world. After Nana passed, Saunders became my family. The only person I could count on.

“Stupid phone. Why don’t you have some battery left? You’re a pain in my ass. Digging through this pile of trash is disgusting.”

I sighed, angry at the electronic device that ruined my morning. Set in the middle of campus, The Hut, the most popular coffee shop, bustled with college students and professors desperate for a shot of caffeine at this early hour. When I explained my situation, the manager pointed me toward last night’s pile of trash bags the cleaning crew put in one corner. My stomach churned at the idea of rummaging through those. There were six bags. Most of them full. The smell of yesterday’s used coffee grounds and day-old food remnants filled my nostrils.

“C’mon, phone of hell, show yourself. I need to get to class, you asshole. Way to begin a new semester.”

“I’m sorry to bother you, but are you swearing at that garbage bag pile?” a male voice questioned my senses from behind me. I blew my hair off my face, not willing to touch it with my dirty hands, and turned around.

“You would, too, if this pile of shit had engulfed your pricey electronic gadget last night.”

“Last night? I’m confused.” The guy scratched the side of his gorgeous face. Unruly blond hair, symmetrical face, straight nose, athletic shape. “Have you been headfirst in these trash piles all night?”

“Why do you care? You’re not the one with the lost phone.” Smoke exited my nose. And my ears. Or at least I imagined it did. I was losing valuable time here.

“You’re feisty. I like that.” The guy fished his phone from his messenger bag. “Give me your number, I’ll call this phone of yours. This way you’ll be able to go on with your day.” He shrugged and flashed me a lopsided smile.

I folded my arms over my chest, avoiding touching anything with my filthy hands.

“You think I hadn’t thought of that?” I arched an eyebrow. “I may look every shade of stupid right now, but I can assure you I’m not. My phone is dead, Mr. Smarty-Pants. That’s why I’m tearing apart these disgusting trash bags with my bare hands, hoping it will show up.”

“Did you really spend your entire night looking for it?” He frowned, and I found him even more irresistible. At least six feet tall, broad shoulders, dimples, and a smile to die for. My eyes traveled from his head to his toes, taking him all in.

Why did I only meet cute guys when it seemed like I hadn’t showered in weeks and smelled like a waste dump?

I let out the longest and deepest sigh ever. “I came here last evening to study with my friends. It was late when we left, and I must have dropped my dead phone in one of those,” I informed, pointing to the pile of trash bags circling me, “and only realized it too late. The place was closed when I came back, so I returned early this morning to search for it. Why am I even telling you all this?” I shook my head and tore open another bag of junk, ignoring Mr. Know-It-All.

He stood there, with his arms folded, staring at me. My silvery blonde hair fell over my face, and he pushed the locks back. A shiver ran along my spine at the contact of his fingers on my skin. My cheeks warmed, and I forgot to breathe for a minute. I tried to thank him, but no words came out.

I smacked myself mentally.

Nana would tell me to woman up.

Saunders would tell me to seize the chance.

I did nothing.

I half-smiled and turned around, with a mushy heart, to dive my hands in yet another pile of junk.

“Let me help you.” My eyes flared. Why would a stranger want to help me out? Under these circumstances? What was wrong with this guy?

“You don’t have to. I mean, they are my trash bags to deal with. I’m the one who threw my phone away. It was in my tray with my burger wrapper and an empty can of soda.” I said, flashing a shy smile his way.

Blond guy’s eyes—which I hadn’t taken the time to study—were gold with flecks of green around the pupils, sucking me in.

“I want to.” He shrugged.