“Come on, it’ll do you good.” Kass grabbed hold of my arm and dragged me inside the restaurant. The place was packed. The last thing I felt like doing was going out, but Kass had insisted. I stood next to her while she organized a table for us. I scanned the faces, hoping there wasn’t anyone from school there. That was all this day needed. Then I spotted him.
You’ve got to be kidding me. He was on a fucking date. I studied the blonde, picking out every negative thing I could find about her, which didn’t amount to much. She was pretty, well-dressed, and she laughed a lot. I hated her already.
“I can’t be here,” I mumbled to Kass, trying to push my way past her. She followed my gaze, her eyes nearly popping out of her head. She stopped me as I went to walk out.
“No,” she said, a smile twitching on her lips. “I have an idea.” She whipped out her phone and sent a text. “Can you make that a table for four please? Preferably over there.” She pointed in the direction of Dalton.
What the hell was she doing? My expression must have been uneasy, because she touched my arm, her eyes softening.
“Trust me,” she murmured.
We waited ten minutes—ten extremely awkward and anxiety filled minutes—before we were led to a table…right next to Dalton’s. Kass gripped my arm, nudging me to move. My feet finally found their place. I followed Kass, not letting myself look in his direction.
We sat down. I forced myself to look straight ahead, but out of the corner of my eye I could see him staring at me. I turned to stare back at him, raising my eyebrow at the blonde. He looked embarrassed. I shook with anger. He fucking should be embarrassed.
I didn’t want to be here. I wanted to be anywhere but here, watching him enjoy his date with the pretty blonde who wasn’t his student.
“What are we doing, Kass?” I asked, confused. “Is this your way of torturing me?”
“Trina is on her way with her brother.” She raised her eyebrows. “Her hot older brother.”
“Please tell me she doesn’t know,” I groaned. I felt embarrassed enough without more people knowing I was in love with my teacher.
“Relax. I said there is a guy here that brushed you off; I didn’t say who he was. We will say it’s him.” She nodded to a guy on the other side of the diner, looking all cozy with a girl. He was around our age. I began to relax.
I kept my eyes on the front entrance, waiting to spot Trina. Finally I saw her.
Fuck me. Kass wasn’t kidding when she said Trina’s brother was hot. He was tall, blond, with muscles in all the right places. He looked like a surfer. If my aim was to make Dalton jealous, this guy couldn’t be any more perfect.
“Now play along, okay?” Kass muttered, smiling at Trina.
“Hey guys, sorry we’re late.” Trina leaned over and kissed Kass on the lips. The brother smirked at me. I blushed, wondering what Trina had said to him. How embarrassing was this? Imagine if he knew it was a teacher I was trying to make jealous.
“You must be Wrenn,” he said, reaching for my hand. I nodded, forcing a smile. “I’m Shannon.” He yanked my arm, forcing me to my feet, embracing me in a hug. Then he kissed me. It was just a peck on the lips, but I stared at him in shock.
I snuck a glance in Dalton’s direction. His eyes were on Shannon, and he looked mad as hell. He looked like he wanted to kill Shannon. I giggled and draped my arm over Shannon’s, and then glanced back at Dalton. He glared back at me though narrowed eyes, his face dark with anger.
It was working!
“You know, that guy’s a jerk. If he can’t see what a catch you are, he doesn’t deserve you,” Shannon murmured, staring into my eyes. His hand closed over mine, his fingers trailing up my arm. I blushed and pulled away. This guy was an ass. But he was an ass who was making Dalton more jealous than I’d seen any man, ever.
“Really? And you’ve figured that out in the last few minutes?” I said dryly, arching my eyebrow.
He grinned, flashing his perfect white teeth at me. I rolled my eyes and reached out, placing my hand over his. Kass winked at me, happy I was playing the game.
“I know a good thing when I see one. When you’re ready to give up on these boys, come find me.” He rubbed his lips together. “Come and see how a real man can treat you.”
I burst out laughing and shot Kass a look. She shrugged helplessly. Was this guy serious? This had to be part of his act. Surely!
“Thanks, but if you’re the definition of a real man, I think I’ll pass.”
He shrugged, his ego not bruised in the slightest. “You’ll change your mind. They always do.” He leaned back in his chair and smirked at me, his eyes narrowing as they ran over my body. Sweatpants and a hoodie? Yeah, I looked hot. If I’d known I was going to see Dalton, I would’ve dressed up.
“Hmm, maybe we should order?” I picked up my menu to hide my smile. This guy was a tool. But it was working: Dalton was furious. I could tell from the way he couldn’t keep his eyes off me. I could feel the anger radiating from him.
I ordered fries and a steak, medium rare.
“Rare? I like a girl who knows how to eat her meat. Do you like eating meat, Wrenn?” Shannon smirked, running his tongue over his lips.