“So it is,” I say archly. As I look at Hailey, I can smell the desperation coming off her in waves. She’s certainly no Allie.
You’re damn right she’s no Allie, a small voice chimes in from the back of my mind. And that’s a good thing. Allie isn’t going to give you the time of day...why wait around for her?
I can feel my resistance melting by the second – not because I’m actually interested in this bimbo, just because she’s a distraction.
“Okay,” I say finally. “Get your friend over here. First round is on me.”
Hailey smiles widely. “I’ll have a white wine spritzer,” she says. “Thanks!” She viciously bites her bottom lip and I realize that she’s trying to look sexy. “What’s your name?”
“Dane.”
Hailey giggles. She hops onto the stool next to me, letting her arm brush against my thigh. Before I even realize what I’m doing, I flinch and pull away sharply.
“What’s wrong?” Hailey asks in a syrupy voice. “Are you okay?”
Reaching into my wallet, I grab a handful of bills and put them on the counter. Hailey’s eyes get big and wide but she doesn’t speak.
“Buy yourself a drink,” I snap before turning on my heel and stalking out of the restaurant. I can hear the blonde calling after me, but I don’t look back.
I’ve already forgotten her name.
Why can’t more women be like Allie with soft brown eyes and a luscious mouth? Why can’t more women care about anything other than money?
The cool nighttime air is a welcome relief after the stuffy bar. I don’t feel like going home just yet, so I walk down the sidewalk, narrowly avoiding the drunks and piles of vomit.
It seems like the kids get younger and younger. At forty-eight, I’m probably the oldest fuck out on the streets tonight.
That’s when it hits me. I’ve been strolling through the campus of Tate University. No wonder everyone looks so goddamn young.
And Allie goes to Tate University.
Where I just so happen to be on the board of trustees.
My cheeks slowly widen in a big, wolfish grin.
Hold on, baby girl.
I’m coming for you.
Chapter Nine
Allie
“Allie! Come on! That test was hard!” My best friend, Mara, makes a wide-eyed face at me and stops dramatically in the middle of the sidewalk.
“I know,” I say as I wrinkle my nose. “It was, that’s why I studied for—”
“Allie, shut up,” Mara hisses. She grabs my arm, stopping me dead in my tracks.
“What?” I ask. “Why are you being such a weirdo?”
“That guy!” Mara whispers loudly. “He’s staring at us!”
Looking up, I see Dane standing on the steps to the library. My heart lurches to the side and I feel my cheeks flush hotly. As Dane approaches us, I feel myself grow weak in the knees and for a horrible moment I think I’m going to pass out.
God, he looks so good. He’s wearing a stylish pair of dark jeans and a black button-down shirt that hugs his muscular chest perfectly.
I can practically smell his cologne from where I stand.