I sighed and nodded.
Gabe released me.
“Why are you so protective of me? You don’t even know me.” I went to sit on the couch, waiting for Wes to come pick me up.
“No freaking clue.” Gabe took a seat next to me and put his arm around the back of the couch. “I just can’t stand the idea of something happening to you. And even though I keep saying this until I’m blue in the face, it’s not because I’m jealous. I just… I have a really bad feeling about him.”
“You gotta let the baby birds fly, Gabe.” I smacked his knee. “And you have to trust my judgment. He’s been a complete gentleman with me.”
“I know that.” Gabe pinched the bridge of his nose. “But don’t you think it’s weird? His entourage? The fact that he’s an RA? I mean, why is he an RA? I even asked a few of the other upperclassmen. It was never supposed to be him, and nobody’s talking. And then the whole football thing. One of my friends on the team said he collapsed at practice. What if he’s on drugs or something?”
“I highly doubt that.” I shook my head, refusing to believe it. “I think he’s probably just overwhelmed. I mean, wouldn’t you be?”
After a while Gabe answered. “Probably. Just be careful.”
“And for the twentieth time,” I sang out. “I will.”
At the sound of the knock on the door, my heart began thumping against my chest as if it was going to beat its way out and land on the floor.
Lisa ran from her room, nearly tripping over the table blocking her way, and stopped in front of the door, fixed her hair, and swung open the door.
Chapter Twenty-One
For the first time in a year, I wanted to live — because I wanted to spend every freaking day watching her open her eyes to the world. Hell, I wanted to be the first thing she saw. Sometimes, reality’s a bitch.
Weston
I don’t know what I’d thought she’d be wearing — but it wasn’t that. It was a short skirt, a billowy shirt, and high heels made to make guys want to touch her feet. And I was so not a foot person.
“You look…” I swallowed. “Beautiful.”
I heard Gabe grunt behind her. So clearly he still wasn’t a fan. I made a mental note to try to win him over later that week rather than sit by and listen to him grunt and groan every time I paid a compliment to the girl I liked.
Aw, crap. I was crushing. And I really didn’t have the luxury of doing that. I looked at her skirt again and the legs that led up to those full cute hips. Damn.
“You ready?” I croaked, sounding like a pubescent teen.
“Sure.” She smiled warmly and grabbed a strappy thing I can only assume was a purse, either that or a weapon. I held out my arm and escorted her out the door.
“Got your whistle?” I asked.
“Check.”
“Cell phone?”
“Check.”
“List?”
She stopped walking and looked up into my eyes. “You know you really don’t have to help me with that. I mean, I’m sure I can—”
“Stop.” I pressed a finger to her lips. “We’re going to tackle the list, but remember, I said I could only help with a few. That whole falling in love thing will have to be saved for someone who’s worthy of that heart of yours.”
She laughed. “How do you know my heart’s good?”
I stopped and pressed my palm flat against her chest, relishing the way her healthy heart slammed against my skin. I could almost feel it beating for my heart, making it stronger. I pulled back, noticing the flush in her cheeks.
/> “It’s a good heart. Strong beat, though I’m pretty sure it skipped one when I touched you.”