“THIS IS THE LONGEST DAY in the history of ever,” I grumble to Halston, who’s sitting on the bench next to me. After my run-in with Jesse, I couldn’t sleep. My body was buzzing with the unfinished orgasm, while my mind was buzzing with thoughts of him. Why is he so persistent? Why me? I tossed and turned all night.
“Well, wake up. It’s Friday, and your ass is mine.”
“Shit. I forgot.”
“Forgot what?”
“I have plans tonight. I totally spaced it.”
“With Jesse?” she asks, nudging my shoulder with hers.
“Nope.”
“Dylan?”
“Nope.”
“Then who? You don’t have friends.”
“Garrett.”
“Who the hell is Garrett? How many boyfriends do you have?”
“Zero.” I laugh. “He’s just a guy in my marketing class.”
“I can’t believe you’re going on a date and didn’t tell me.”
As if on cue, I spot Garrett walking through the quad, heading right toward us.
“First of all, it’s not a date,” I correct. “Second of all, pipe down because he’s coming over here.”
With all the subtlety of a bulldozer, Halston whirls around to check him out before nodding in appreciation. “He’s cute in that grungy, fuck-him-to-piss-off-your-parents kind of way.”
She’s not wrong. He’s wearing a white thermal with a black zip-up hoodie over it, a beanie covering the short blond hair that I know is underneath, and a smirk on those upturned, full lips.
“Hey, Allison,” Garrett says, stuffing his hands into his front pockets.
“Hey.” I smile up at him, using a hand to shade my eyes from the sun. “This is Halston.”
“Garrett,” he greets her with a jerk of his chin. Polite, but not overly enthusiastic. Interesting. Everyone wants Halston. “So, you still coming tonight?” he asks, rocking back on the heels of his worn Chucks.
“I think Halston’s going to take me,” I say, bumping her shoulder with mine.
“Actually,” she pipes up. “I can’t make it. I have this thing.”
“What thing?” She doesn’t have a thing.
“You know.” Her eyes widen, wanting me to play along. “Anyway, you should have Garrett here take you.”
Garrett scrapes his teeth along his lip, eyebrows raised. “You have my number. Let me know if you want me to pick you up.”
I nod, and he walks away, probably feeling uncomfortable after that painfully obvious lie.
“Real smooth.”
Halston laughs, throwing her head back. “He’s hot. Have fun on your date.”
“It’s not a date!” I whisper-shout, not wanting to chance him still being in earshot. I stand, slinging my backpack over my shoulder.