“Trying,” I mumble. “But getting better as they settle in.” Honestly, teaching the freshman algebra course isn’t too bad. I might enjoy it if Lexi wasn’t consuming my mind. It’s fucking Friday. After thinking about her this entire week, I’m desperate to find her. “Feel like going back to the Cluster tonight?” I stun my best friend almost as much as I shock myself with the question. I’ve never been the one to suggest a night out in our nearly thirty-year friendship.
He stares at me for a few seconds, and I see the wheels turning in his head, “Sure.” Nick stands, placing his hand on my desk. “What time do you want to meet?”
She arrived shortly after us last week, so I decide to go with that time. “I’ll be there at nine.”
When the longest day in history finally comes to an end, I head home to shower and relax. After dressing, I sit on my bed and stare at the white wall. My mind insists that I’m imagining the crazy hold she has on me while my heart maintains she’s the one. Later, I sit at the bar next to Nick and take a sip of my lukewarm beer. Students wanting to celebrate surviving the first week of classes fill the bar. There’s one person I haven’t seen, and she’s the reason I’m here.
After a couple of hours and two beers, I decide to call it a night on this shitty idea. “I’m heading out,” I yell to Nick over the pounding music.
My friend looks around and shrugs. “Good. I’m fucking bored anyway.”
He’s been almost unlivable lately. Thinking back, I realize the anniversary of his break-up with Mary is approaching. The next few weeks should be fun. Rolling my eyes, I tell him, “You’ll have to forget about her and get back out there sometime.” I sigh, remembering the pain he endured not too long ago.
“Not any fucking time soon,” he assures me. Two years ago, Nick met a girl and fell hard. Unfortunately, she was lying about her age and occupation. He found she was a college student when Dean Butler called him in for a meeting. Nick barely managed to hang on to his job while having his heart broken. Since then, my outgoing friend has avoided entanglements. He’s gotten to the point that he can discuss the situation, but I still worry he’s closing himself off.
“Someday, you’ll meet someone.” I hand the bartender my credit card.
“I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you,” Nick growls, and I shrug.
After signing the receipt, I grab my credit card and pat my friend on the back. “One of us needs to find happiness.” A terrifying thought blasts through my mind. What if the stunning girl is my one shot at happiness?
The next morning, I make myself a cup of coffee and head into my den to grade the fucking quizzes. After a while, the numbers on the page blur before my eyes, and I decide to take a break. A greasy cheeseburger and waffle fries from Gail’s Diner will either put me in a food coma or help me concentrate. As I pull into a spot at the back of the packed parking lot, I look around and groan. I might be in for a long wait.
A hot pink open sign flashes in the front window of the diner. As I push open the heavy glass door and step inside, the smell of fried food hits me between the eyes. “You can have a seat at the counter now or wait a few minutes for a table,” Gail yells over her shoulder.
After I walk up to the black and white checked counter and sit on one of the red vinyl barstools, loud arguing and the sound of pots slamming comes from the kitchen. Gail ignores the noise and turns to me. She points at the laminated menus stuck between salt and pepper shakers and a napkin dispenser. “Take a menu, and I’ll be back in a few for your order.”
She returns and sets a glass of water in front of me before looking over my head to shout, “Lexi, can you come and get this order while I handle Earl’s meltdown?”
At the sound of her name, I spin around and look through the restaurant. My cock turns to stone as my heart beats out of control. Today, she has pulled her silky hair up into a ponytail that’s swinging from side to side as she makes her way toward me. My mouth waters at the sight of the black shorts and red t-shirt stretched over her luscious curves. Wait a minute. This is what she wears to work? I shake my head, attempting to remove the crazy thought from my mind. The air around us crackles as she steps close. Her sweet, floral scent wraps around me, sending a different hunger shooting through my blood. When she reaches into her pocket for her pen and pad, her hand trembles slightly.
Watching her delicate throat move up and down as she swallows nearly has me coming in my jeans. I’m going to need looser pants anytime she’s around runs through my mind. Her golden eyes sparkle. “What can I get you?”
“Your number,” slips from my numb lips before I’m able to stop it. “So you can’t run away again.” In for a penny, in for a pound, I guess.
She blinks rapidly, ignoring my request. “Do you need more time to look over the menu?”
“No.” I place the menu back on the counter. “I’ll have a cheeseburger and waffle fries.” I know where she works. There’s no way she’s getting away from me now. I order my overheated body to calm the fuck down, reminding myself if I come on too strong, she’ll run. I don’t know if I can handle losing her again.
“Anything to drink?” Her smoky voice catches, and I notice the hunger blazing from her expressive eyes.
“Sweet iced tea,” I order my usual.
As my girl walks away, her curvy hips sway, causing all the blood in my body to flow to my cock. Taking a deep breath, I hold it for several seconds while trying to control the urge to throw her over my shoulder and run.
4
Lexi
As I walk away, the back of my neck tingles from his heated stare. After dropping his order at the kitchen window, I rush into the backroom and fan myself. I almost melted on the spot when he turned and held my gaze. His black-framed glasses should’ve taken away some of his appeal, but they actually made him even hotter. When did I develop a hunger for hot nerds?
Getting through the day from hell was my only concern ten minutes ago. Now, I have to resist the electric pull coursing between us. Remember your goals. Time to do my job. I head to the counter and pour Dane’s tea before forcing myself to stare at the buttons on his light blue dress shirt as I set the glass in front of him. I rush away and do a sweep of the restaurant. Please let someone need something. If I’m busy, Gail will deliver his cheeseburger when it’s ready. All too soon, Harold, Gail’s husband and the main cook, calls out Dane’s order number.
I give the older man a weak smile as I reach for the overflowing plate. Concern passes through his steely blue eyes. “Are you okay, Doll?”
“Yep.” I grab the food before he can see how nervous our customer makes me.
After I place his lunch in front of him, he glances up at me and smiles, causing my insides to turn to mush. It occurs to me that I’m fighting a losing battle. My heart has already decided to give him and chance. When he winks at me, I see a playful twinkle in his eye. “I’m sorry if I came on too strong.” He holds out his hand. “Let’s start again. I’m Dane McKinney, a boring math professor.”
Oh, shoot. This is bad. “Uh-hh.” I stumble over the words as the ramifications run through my mind. It’s just my luck. I decide to forget my reservations and give him a chance only to discover he’s off-limits. There’s no way he’ll risk his job to date a student.