“Well, his last name is Beefer. I’ve always just called him Beef because he’s like totally beefed up.”
I snort. “Classy.”
“Don’t be judgy.” She sneers.
“So you two never…hooked up? Does Kellan know you plan to paddle board with hot, beefy guys?”
She glares at me, and I laugh.
“I’m just asking,” I say innocently.
“Don’t even get me started.”
“I’m starting to notice a theme.”
“Well, if you must know…we have not. Not from a lack of trying though. Before Kellan, I ended up dating a wide range of weirdos.”
“Really? Do tell.” I grab my drink and take a quick sip.
“Well, Beef is really into fitness, which is fine. But I’m more in the ‘I’ll only run if I’m being chased by a bear’ proximity.”
“So nothing in common?” I offer.
“Not really. We’re just better off as friends.” She finishes chewing and takes a drink, her cheeks reddening.
“So what about these other guys you dated?”
“Well, there was Lance. He was great…at first. From the outside anyway. Good looking, full-time job, owned his own car and house. Then we met up for drinks and dinner.”
“I’m afraid to even ask…”
She sighs and rolls her eyes before speaking in a high-pitched mock tone. “This restaurant—brilliant! This food—brilliant! The music—brilliant! My outfit—“
“Brilliant?”
“Oh my God! It was a fucking nightmare!” I can’t stop the round of laughter that escapes my throat at her facial expressions. “And then when I asked about his job, he said brilliant thirteen times!” Her eyes widen, and I continue laughing. “Thirteen times! I started counting!”
By now, we’re both hysterically laughing.
I manage to swallow my food down without choking, but not without effort. When the waitress checks on us, she responds, “Brilliant. The food was brilliant. The drinks were brilliant. You were simply brilliant.”
I don’t know how she manages to keep a straight face, but once the waitress purses her lips together and responds with a cold, ‘great, I’m glad to hear it,’ comment and not so casually leaves the bill on the table before walking away, we burst into a fit of giggles once again.
“Seriously…I don’t think anyone will ever be able to top off Mr. Brilliant.” I shake my head, reassured he has to be the worst of the worst.
“Sad thing is…I’m sure some of the others could.” She takes another drink although she really shouldn’t.
“Don’t you do background checks on these guys? Urine samples?”
“I really should,” she agrees, but the frantic bobbing of her head lets me know it’s the alcohol taking its course. “Or someone should. Oh! Like an agency! A pre-dating agency.” She clears her throat and continues. “We provide the work up so you can do the work down!”
I cover my mouth to avoid laughing again, but it’s no use. “That’s the worst slogan I’ve ever heard.”
“But admit it…you’d totally use it.”
“It might scare them off.”
She shrugs her shoulders. “Then at least we’d know beforehand. No time wasted!”
“Speaking of wasted…” I murmur, but she waves me off. “All right…so who else?”
“Oh! There was Quinn. I met him through a mutual friend from high school. So we start talking online, which leads to texting and other things, and when we finally plan to meet up, he tells me he doesn’t drink! Like what are we, cavemen?” I burst out laughing, and when I start to notice that other people are staring at us, I suggest it’s time we get going.
I put some cash down on the table to cover the bill plus her tip before sliding out my chair and motioning her to do the same.
“I mean, really? I get being all religious and not drinking, or even being sober because you used to fancy the bottle a little too much, but he’s never ever had alcohol even after he turned twenty-one.”
We begin walking out to the car when I loop my arm inside hers, mostly to make sure she doesn’t fall back on her ass. “How’s that even possible?” I ask, getting into the driver’s seat.
“I don’t even know. That’s like staying a virgin after your married. It doesn’t make any sense at all!”
We’re about half way to the apartment building when she brings up the one thing I had really hoped she wouldn’t ask…
“So, I know you’re focused on your art and busy at school and work, but have any art geeks grabbed your attention long enough to stick around for more than a night?”
I snort at her choice of words. I know I can’t tell her, although I’m dying to tell someone I’m crushing hard for my art professor—but I need to be careful. Even though I’m almost one hundred percent certain she wouldn’t say anything, I can’t risk it.
“Nope.”
“C’mon…no one that’s interested you for more than twelve hours?” She perks a brow, sporting a devilish grin.
“There’s been an interest, but that’s it. We just talk and flirt.”
“And?” she prompts.
“And nothing. It’s best we just stay friends.”
“Well…friends can have fun, too.”
I smile at her insinuation. “As much as I wouldn’t mind some of that fun, it can’t happen, either.”
“All right, Aspen. I’m starting to notice a theme.”
“Which is?”
“You have a boring life.”
“I beg to differ.” I roll my eyes. “Since we’re on the topic of interests, when are you finally going to kick that non-grabby hands boyfriend of yours to the curb?”
She exaggerates a gasp. “He is plenty grabby, thank you very much.”
“Oh, has he reached the elbow finally?” I snort, cracking up at my own joke.
“I hate you!” she hisses with a laugh, throwing a pathetic punch at me. “We are way past the elbow!”
“Oh, good!” I glance in her direction. “So I can expect a graphic second base story coming soon?”
“Gah! I wonder if it’s because he’s small. Do you think that’s why he’s put off on going all the way?”
She leans her head back on the headrest where she closes her eyes and sighs. “Well, I guess there’s really only one way to find out, isn’t there?”
“That’s it…we’re doing it. It’s been three months, dammit. I’m just going to get naked and jump on top of him. There’s no way a guy would push this—” She opens her eyes and waves a hand down her body. “—away unless they’re gay.”
“Agreed. I’d even let you get to a few bases before I pushed you off.”
“You’re such a bitch!” She laughs.
We arrive back at the complex and head back inside. I plan to nap before we head out for the night. “So you’re meeting Zoe at the bar around ten?” she confirms before we each head back into our apartments.
“Yup. Save me a seat.” I wink before unlocking my door and stepping inside.
I wouldn’t normally think twice about going out with the girls and finding a guy to take home, but since getting closer to Professor Hampton, it makes my stomach turn just thinking about bringing anyone back to my place. Although I have absolutely no claim on him, it doesn’t stop the burning desire to wish I did. The way it feels to be around him isn’t a feeling I’ve ever had before…
He makes me feel things I shouldn’t.
Seeing Professor Hampton twice a week is really starting to mess with my head. The next week goes like the previous three weeks—work, school, noticeable throbbing between my legs, painting, daydreaming of what Professor Hampton’s lips would feel like against mine.
How his naked body would look and feel…
The constant struggle of trying to stay focused around him while wondering what he’d look like naked and tangled in my sheets is distracting to the point where I almost left the house without a shirt on and about walked into a closed door when I finally realized it.
It’s really becoming a safety hazard.