There a challenge in the words he spoke and I could stop from accepting his dare.
“Wyatt!”
“Fine, I’m joking, but really let’s study. You were always a good partner.”
I sighed. I would show him. After all, responsible and sensible were my middle names.
“Fine,” I said, the word coming out from between clenched teeth. “We can study together.”
His smile was wide. Triumphant.
I wanted to kick myself for falling so neatly into his trap but I couldn’t back out now though.
“How about we start tonight?”
That eyebrow rose again in challenge and I found myself unable to back down. Again.
“Tonight,” I agreed.
“Want me to come over to your place?”
“No!” My denial was too loud as I imagined the horror of Wyatt coming into my home. Of him meeting Noah.
I couldn’t let that happen. Not for as long as I could help it.
Wyatt gave me a puzzled look and a few of the other students did too.
“No,” I said more calmly. “We can meet up at your place. Are you staying with your mom?”
“No, I got my own apartment so I could be closer to campus.”
Oh. Wyatt and I all alone in the confines of a space that smelt like him. Where I couldn’t escape his charm, or have a distraction from his sex appeal.
What could possibly go wrong?
He pulled out his smart phone – a slick-looking, clearly new model - from his back pocket and said, “Give me your number and I will send you the address.”
He looked at me expectantly.
Even though warning sirens were blaring in my head, I began to rattle off my number. He picked up from the middle, finishing the last four numbers for me.
“You have the same number,” he realized before adding, “So do I. It’s-”
I become stuck on the fact that he still had my number memorized but then remember that I knew his by heart too. Even after all this time had passed.
I made a big deal about scrolling through my phone like I was entering the digits but they were already saved.
I never deleted them.
“I’ll text you my address in a few minutes.”
“Okay, I have to go now. I am late for… an appointment.”
If Wyatt noticed my hesitation, he didn’t show it.
He beamed another smile at me and said, “See you tonight, Hailey.”
I walked away knowing I was making a huge mistake and still helpless to stop myself.