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)
What’s even worse is that it didn’t bother me to take advantage of the situation.
With a shake of her head, she clucks her tongue. “That is such a sad indictment on our educational system.”
I shrug as a prick of shame flares to life inside me. “Yeah, I guess it is.”
Especially when I see how hard she busts her ass at school and the restaurant. It’s hard not to respect that kind of work ethic. The fact that she doesn’t view me in the same light leaves me squirming.
She clears her throat. “Anyway, I just wanted to say that maybe you’re smarter than you give yourself credit for.”
There are things I’m good at—football—and things I’m not—school. That’s the way it’s always been. Jack was the family’s academic all-star and I excelled on the field. I never thought to question it or push myself harder. It was just easier to check out mentally and focus my attention elsewhere.
“You really think so?” I ask, thrown off by the comment.
“I actually do.”
The air around us seems to shift as a strange intensity takes hold and our gazes stay locked. Her eyes are so dark and rich in hue that it wouldn’t take much to become trapped within their depths.
That’s all it takes for the library to fade to the background as my body sways toward hers, almost as if there’s a magnetic force pulling me in that direction. Instead of second guessing my actions, I give in to the rush of sensation coursing through me.
When her tongue darts out to moisten her lips, my gaze drops to the movement. I can’t stop myself from thinking about how much I want to kiss this girl. Like a deer caught in the bright glare of headlights, she freezes. I angle my head to the left until my mouth can ghost over hers.
Just as I’m about to sink into the caress, a chipper voice says, “Hi, Asher.”
A slight gasp escapes from Lola as she jerks away, her chair scraping against the carpet as she swivels toward the desk, avoiding all eye contact.
I glance at the girl who has sidled up to the table while I wasn’t paying attention. “Hey, Mallory. How’s it going?”
“Better now that I’ve run into you,” she says with a bright smile that shows off lots of pearly white teeth.
Awkwardness descends.
Just when I’m about to tell the blonde that we’re in the middle of studying, Lola jumps to her feet. “I, ah, need to take off.”
“What?” My brows pinch together. “Already? I thought we were going to work for a couple of hours.”
Color blooms in her face as she focuses her attention on her laptop before slamming it shut and shoving it inside her bag. “Sorry. I just remembered something I need to take care of. Maybe we can get together tomorrow. Or the day after that.”
My mind spins, trying to come up with a way to detain her. “But—”
“I can help you,” Mallory cuts in. “I’ve got plenty of time.”
I don’t glance at the other girl. I’ve spent most of the day thinking about Lola, looking forward to spending time together, and now, after about an hour, she’s ditching my ass.
“We’ll talk soon, okay?” she says, refusing to make eye contact as if I have the power to turn her to stone with a single glance.
I pop to my feet, trying one last time to keep her from leaving. “I don’t even have your number.”
Ignoring the comment, she takes off, practically racing to the staircase and rushing down the steps before disappearing from sight.
“It’s like she couldn’t get away from you fast enough,” Mallory chirps.
My gaze reluctantly flickers to the blonde. “Yeah, I seem to have that effect on her.”
Unfortunately.
13
LOLA
Holy crap.
Did that seriously just happen?
For all intents and purposes, I just locked lips with Asher Stevens.
Instead of putting a kibosh on the kiss, I’d sat there and allowed it to unfold.
The way his minty fresh breath feathered across my lips before his mouth settled on mine plays through my head on a constant loop. Even though it only lasted a second or two, it had been more than enough to make a permanent impression.
What would have happened if we hadn’t been interrupted? My fingers tremble as they rise to my mouth before I shake the question from my brain.
Nope. I’m not going to dwell on it.
Maybe Asher has surprised me and isn’t the total asshat I pegged him to be, but he’s still a jock who walks around campus like he owns the place. That realization certainly isn’t a reason to go off the rails and get crazy.
As soon as I shove through the heavy glass door of the building, the cold night air slaps at my cheeks, instantly cooling them and making me feel more in control of the strange emotions careening around inside me.