Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 107077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 535(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 535(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
“Yay!” There’s a pause as some of her happiness drains away. “All right, I need to warn you about something.”
Uh-oh. I give her a bit of side-eye as we continue walking along the path that winds through campus. I’m almost afraid to ask. “What?”
“It’s at the football house,” she admits, scrunching her face like that might change my decision. “I know you and—”
Before she can finish that sentence, a muscular arm is thrown around my shoulders and I’m hauled against a rock-solid body. A woodsy fragrance invades my senses and my belly flutters in response.
No.
I refuse to feel this way about him.
Demi’s eyes widen as her mouth forms a small O. Her surprised gaze bounces from me to Asher and back again. After our run-in at the one and only football house party I attended this year, I can understand why she’s gaping at me like a fish out of water.
“Umm.” She waggles a finger between us. “I thought you two couldn’t stand each other. What happened?”
“We came to an understanding,” I say lightly, attempting to escape his hold.
“Yup,” he adds, tightening his grip and shooting me a grin, “we’re totally chill. Practically besties.”
Yeah…I don’t think we’re quite there yet, but we’re certainly better than what we were. We met up the other day at the library, and I didn’t even growl or glare at him once. So…that’s progress made in the right direction.
I think.
Before I can respond, she says, “Really?” Her eyes narrow. “Exactly when did this happen?” There’s a pause. “Maybe a better question would be how did this happen?”
“Well…we’re adults.” Mostly. I glance at Asher. “And we had an adult conversation regarding our differences.”
“Wow. It’s like a birthday miracle,” Demi says, lips lifting with humor as she shakes her head.
“That it is.” I clear my throat before pointing to the tall brick business building looming in the distance. “I should probably get moving. Just shoot me a text with all the details and I’ll be there.”
“Awesome. It’s going to be so much fun. Rowan’s insisting on a Hawaiian theme for the party. So, if you have a grass skirt, be sure to wear it.”
With a wave, I slip out of Asher’s hold and take off. Just as my heartrate settles, his brawny arm is thrown over my shoulders for a second time and I’m tugged against his hard body. The students passing by stare in our direction with raised brows before waving to the guy at my side. He acknowledges them like a king greeting his loyal subjects.
It's a strange sensation to have so much attention directed our way. I’m usually able to move inconspicuously around campus. Now that Western’s very own football legend is by my side, that’s not possible. With so many envious stares aimed at me, I don’t think I’ve ever felt more under the microscope.
“I was actually looking for you,” he says, knocking me out of the strange thoughts circling through my head.
His mouth is so close to my ear that an unwanted shiver of awareness scampers down my spine, making me even more cognizant of his towering presence.
“Oh?” I stare straight ahead, wanting to avoid eye contact. “What about?”
“I heard back from Declan. Good news—he says the damage to your car wasn’t as extensive as it looked, and you should have it back by the end of next week.”
My muscles tighten as I steel myself for the expense. As much as I don’t want to hear the number he’s going to throw out, I need to know what it is.
“How much will the repair cost?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know. About three hundred, give or take a couple of dollars.”
Air rushes from my lungs in shock.
No way.
Did I hear him correctly?
“Three hundred?” I thought it would end up being thousands. It almost seems too good to be true. Before I allow the relief fighting to break free to flood through my system, I say, “That’s it?” The number tumbles from my lips for a second time. “Three hundred dollars? We’re talking US currency?”
He slants a look at me. “Did you think I meant euros?”
My brows pinch together as memories of the damage to the backend and wheel fill my head. “It’s not like I’m complaining, but I don’t understand how a repair like that can be so cheap. It doesn’t make sense.” A thought occurs to me, and I narrow my eyes. “Are you sure this guy is reputable? I’m aware that my car is a hunk of junk, but it needs to be held together with more than duct tape and bungee cords.”
A chuckle escapes from him. “Trust me, Declan is the best in the biz when it comes to collision repair. When our vehicles get fucked up, this is the guy we take them to. Maybe I should have mentioned that you’re getting the friends and family discount.” His twinkling gaze latches onto mine. “See how advantageous it is to be friends with me?”