“Two sugars and a little bit of coffee with your cream.”
“Excuse me?” I looked up from my laptop to find a tall, blue-eyed, blond-haired guy standing over my table. He had an athletic build and was handsome in a classic type of way, like a movie star from back in the 1940s. I was certain he was at the wrong table. Maybe he was meeting a blind date and it was a case of mistaken identity. “I’m sorry. Do I know you?” My tone sounded a little sharper than I intended.
“Well, not formally. I’m in your psychology class, but since I sit in the back and you’re in the front, I guess you wouldn’t know that.”
“Oh…umm, yeah, sorry. Not to mention that class is at eight a.m., and I’m still half asleep.”
He extended the cup of coffee in his hand and I reached for it. “Thanks. Please, have a seat.” I gestured to the empty chair across from me. I closed my laptop and took a sip of coffee. Perfect. How did he know exactly how I liked my coffee?
He was dressed to perfection in a neatly pressed button-up light blue shirt with not a hair out of place. I was keenly becoming more aware of my own appearance as I studied him closer. My messy blond hair was thrown haphazardly into a sloppy bun. I had been cramming for finals and working on this paper for days and couldn’t remember the last time I had even washed it. My oversized hoodie had holes in the sleeves and the sweats I was wearing weren’t much better. Not to mention, the last time my face had seen makeup was probably around the same time my hair had the luxury of shampoo. I really needed to try to make an effort in making myself more presentable when going out in public. But the last thing I was expecting was to have a super cute guy buy me coffee. But here we were, the reverse role of beauty and the beast.
“I’m Evan O’Rourke, by the way.”
“Jillian…Jillian Lawrence,” I replied to his greeting. “I have a question…” I flashed a wary smile. “How did you know exactly how I took my coffee?”
His gaze fell to the table, then back at me with a wide grin stretched across his face. “Well, let’s just say, I saw you in here a few days ago and then again today…I’m very observant when I have a vested interest in something.”
A vested interest? Why on earth would he have a vested interest in me? This guy could probably have any girl on campus that he wanted. Why would he be interested in a girl who looked like a bag lady, and one who was only attending this expensive college because she was there on a full scholarship?
He must’ve sensed the confusion on my face. “I guess I’ll just get to the point. Would you like to go out with me sometime?”
I turned around and looked over my shoulder to make sure he wasn’t addressing someone behind me.
“I’m asking you, Jillian.” He chuckled.
“Thanks so much, but…” I folded the napkin in front of me over and over again until it was just a small square.
“Oh, sorry…I thought you probably had a boyfriend, but you can’t blame a guy for trying.”
I wanted to tell him I didn’t have a boyfriend. I wanted to tell him that deep down inside, I’d love to go out with him, but words seemed to be failing me. He stood up and pushed his chair in while I remained mute, staring up at him.
“It was great to meet you.” He extended his hand, and I blinked hard, finally snapping out of my stupor.
“No,” I replied.
He titled his head and a stray piece of hair fell over his left eye. “No?”
“I don’t have a boyfriend.” A fragment of optimism washed over his face with my declaration. “I just…it’s…well…” I couldn’t find the words because there were none. There was absolutely no reason why I should be turning him down for a date other than my own self-doubt.
He held up his hand to stop my incoherent babbling. “I’ll tell you what. Since it seems like you’re unsure, let’s do this… I’ll be here tomorrow night, sitting right at this table at seven o’clock. If you just happen to be here, then maybe we can get to know each other better.” He took a step back and raised his eyebrow. “So, maybe I’ll see you tomorrow, maybe I won’t. Whatever the case, it was nice meeting you.”
I watched him walk away, and I was still dumbfounded. He had such a confidence about him. One I had lacked my entire life. I took a sip of my coffee and stared into space, wondering if I’d be sitting in that same spot in twenty-four hours, already knowing the answer that was screaming to me deep within my heart.
CHAPTER 3
“YOU CAN LEAVE your bags here and check back around three. The rooms should be ready by then,” the hotel concierge said.
“Should be ready by three?” I whispered to DeAndre. Christmas carols played softly in the background as I looked around the lobby and eyed up a little sitting area consisting of two love seats and an oversized chair all gathered around a roaring fireplace. Like an oasis in the desert where I could sit down, relax, and if I just happened to close my eyes…what would it hurt?
“Oh no, you don’t!” DeAndre tugged at my arm, pulling me away from my welcoming refuge. “You gotta stay up, so you’ll sleep tonight.”
“But I’m so tired,” I whined.
“Hello,” a man with what sounded like an Italian accent greeted. “I’m Nino. I’ll be your tour guide for the trip.”
“Hello,” DeAndre and I said in unison.
“Can I get your names?” he asked, looking down at his clipboard.
We each gave our
