“If you didn’t, we’ll buy you some when we get there.”
With my hand wrapped around the glass, I reclined the seat, extending my legs in the same position as Dylan’s. “Damn it, I needed this getaway.”
“You’ve been putting in so many hours. I haven’t seen you in fucking forever.”
I turned my head toward him. “And you haven’t been?”
“The king of deflecting.”
I laughed, the whiskey aiding with that. “Every time I call, you’re at the office or in the air. We both have our reasoning even if they’re different.”
I shifted once more to look out the window, seeing the clouds floating underneath us. We were so close that it felt like I could reach out and touch one.
There had been moments, not too long ago, when I would have tried.
“You want to tell me what’s on your mind?”
I faced my best friend, holding the booze close to my lips. “Same shit, different day.”
He nodded.
Because he knew.
Fifteen
Before
Ashe
Only a day had passed since I’d watched Pearl’s play, and instead of giving her a call, I decided to do something even better. That afternoon, I waited outside her classroom, the same spot where she had crashed into me. I made sure to arrive a few minutes before her class ended in case they were let out early. But as she had told me at the diner, she always stayed after to speak to the professor, and today was no different. A large crowd of students hurried out first, and she was the last one to leave.
“Hey, Pearl,” I said as she came through the door, her attention focused on her notebook.
She looked up at the sound of her name, a smile filling her face once she realized it was me. “Hi.”
I stepped closer to her, instantly smelling the cinnamon, remembering how perfect that scent had been when I kissed her cheek. “I take it, you got home safely?”
She nodded. “And Gran loved the peanut butter pie.” Her hands lifted to the strap of her bag, gripping it between both palms. “She ate the entire thing. I couldn’t believe it. She normally eats like a bird.”
“That makes me happy to hear.”
“She’s very appreciative, and she wants me to thank you.”
I read her eyes as I asked, “You told her about me?”
Her fingers suddenly tightened, knuckles turning white. “I mentioned you, yes.”
I rested my hand on her shoulder, trying to loosen her up. “That’s all you’re going to tell me?” I shook her a little and winked. “Come on, Pearl …”
She started to laugh, and it hit me that she wasn’t uncomfortable; she was just in unfamiliar territory. She couldn’t act her way through this scene, her emotions making her slightly fidgety. Along with bringing me up to Gran, I would take that as a good sign.
“You don’t have to answer that,” I said, lowering my hand to her waist, my placement gentle. “Answer this instead: what are you doing right now?”
She looked at her watch, buying herself a few seconds and giving me time to check her out. With her jacket unzipped, her shirt hugged her perfectly sized tits, and the style of her jeans revealed her long, lean legs. I would do anything to turn her around to see the tightness of her ass, but I kept my hand where it was.
Her eyes returned to mine as she said, “I’m headed to the library to study for a bit before I have to report to the auditorium.”
“You have another show tonight?”
“Every day this week, and on Monday, we start rehearsals for the next play.”
As she spoke, I started to plan my next move. “How much time before you have to be at the auditorium?”
“About three hours.”
“Are you hungry?”
She nodded toward her bag. “I have some crackers in there that I’m going to eat.”
With how long her days were, I wasn’t surprised she had brought food, but crackers wouldn’t do.
I slung my arm over her shoulders, leaving it there while I walked her toward the stairwell. “What are your thoughts on cake?”
The sound of her laugh was so honest and raw but light at the same time. “Gran used to make me one for my birthday. Vanilla with vanilla icing. But that stopped years ago, and I don’t know if I’ve had cake since.”
“Vanilla is your favorite?” I opened the door, and we entered the stairwell.
“I know what you’re up to, Ashe.” She grinned. “Would you let me get away with saying studying is my favorite and that’s what I need to be doing right now?”
I smiled. “No.”
“I figured.” She paused for a moment. “You know, I think vanilla might be the only flavor I’ve had.”
“What?” I tightened my arm, pulling her a little closer as I whispered, “I’m about to change your whole world.”
We got to the first step, and even though she was glancing straight ahead, the emotion was clear on her face. “I think you already have.”
“I’m so full; I feel like I could explode,” Pearl groaned.
There were four half-eaten slices of cake in front of her. This time, chocolate, peanut butter, vanilla raspberry, and lemon blueberry were the flavors I had ordered, following a meal of grilled cheese and tomato soup. Every time she stepped on that stage tonight and felt the fullness in her stomach, I wanted her to think of me.
“And I’m pretty sure I could take the longest nap ever.” She yawned.
I checked my watch. She still had two hours before she had to be at the auditorium.
“I can make that happen. You know I’m right off campus. We can go to my place, and then I’ll walk you back to school.” I watched her process my suggestion. “I’m not going to try anything, Pearl. I’ve told you, you can trust me.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about.” She set down her fork, chewing her lip, like it was more dessert. “I’m afraid that I’ll keep enjoying every second I spend with you.”
“That sounds like a good problem to have.”
“Not to someone who’s anti-relationships.” She took a breath and held it in. “I’m also afraid that before I know it, I’ll be making you a priority, and everything I’ve built will crumble away.”
When I went to comment, she reached across the table, putting her hand on my forearm to stop me. I couldn’t help but note that this was the first time she had touched me.
“But when I mentioned all of my fears to Gran, she told me to give you a chance. She would never say that unless she truly believed it.” She looked down at the chunk of lemon icing on her fork. “Sounds silly, but I think I needed to hear her say that before I ruined something that has the potential to be one of the most beautiful things that’s ever happened to me.”
I wanted to pull her against me and wrap my arms around her, but she was on the other side of the table, so I squeezed her fingers instead. “I won’t let you lose sight of your dreams, I promise you.”
“You’d better not.”