“Uh… They probably aren’t serving lunch.”
“So?” She shrugged her shoulders and grabbed my arm, dragging me along with her. “We’ll grab a coffee and wait. My next class starts at noon, so we can hang out for a little while.”
For once, I didn’t have a reason to say no. I didn’t have a single damn thing to do, so I found myself following her.
It only took a few minutes before we entered the student center. It was only ten in the morning and was busy with students. There was a Starbucks inside, which surprised me.
“Let’s go get that coffee before we sit down.” She beelined straight to the coffee shop and got in line. “What are you going to get?”
“Uh… coffee?” It came out as a question when I hadn’t meant for it to.
“You don’t know.” She patted my shoulder and winked. “I got you covered, girl.”
“What can I get for you today?” The cashier glanced at both Ella and me.
“We’ll take two grande blonde lattes with nonfat milk and vanilla.” She rambled the words off her lips as if she was a pro.
“Got it.” The lady typed in the order on the cash register. “Name?”
“Hope.” She grinned at me as she glanced at me from the corner of her eyes.
She sure was something. I had to admit I might’ve deserved that.
“All right.” The girl smiled. “It’ll be ready in a minute.”
“Come on, grumpy.” Ella waved me over to the pick-up side. “Let’s hope this turns some of the grumpiness into at least mildly cordial.”
It was damn refreshing to be around someone who said what they thought. But I didn’t need to get close for two reasons. One; caring made you vulnerable; and two; she was a shifter. The witch had warned that being around others like me would cause my wolf side to give me more problems.
“You’re going to love this drink.” She grinned and rubbed her hands together. “It’s my weakness.”
“I’m not even sure I know what to expect.” I shook my head and sighed. “When did drinks become blonde?”
“They’re a lighter brew with a caramel taste.” She bumped her shoulder into mine. “Damn, you’re freaking stout.”
“That could be considered an insult.” The last thing I needed her to do was make a big deal about how strong I was. Any shifter should’ve been able to at least nudge a human. “I work out a lot.” That wasn’t a lie either, so technically, I didn’t have to feel bad.
“Obviously.” She scanned my arms and legs. “I bet you could take my brother.”
“Ha.” Now I regretted coming. I should’ve known better.
“No, seriously.” Her eyes lit as our drinks were placed on the counter. “He’s kind of the rebel. You know Mason?”
“No, I don’t know Mason.” I had way too little time to deal with rebels or anyone for that matter. “But good for you.”
“Seriously?” She took a step closer to me, and a smirk crossed her face. “He’s the guy on campus that everyone wants.”
“Uh… congrats.” I had no clue what to say in awkward situations like these. Wait… I’d never been in a situation like this.
She laughed so loud it hurt my ears. “Why are you congratulating me?”
“You seem awfully proud that everyone wants your brother and that he’s a rebel.” I grabbed my latte and took a sip. It was fucking delicious.
Ella smiled so wide that I could probably see every one of her teeth. “You like it.” She took a large sip and closed her eyes. “That proves we’re going to be besties.”
“What?” I choked on the sip I just took.
“Boy, do you have commitment issues.” She rolled her eyes. “I wasn’t asking for your hand in marriage.”
“I don’t do friends.” I made a mistake coming here.
“Good thing I’m not asking you to do me.” She reached out and patted my shoulder.
“That’s not what I meant.” I struggled not to let the smile grow across my face. It’d been a very long time since this had been an issue.
“Doesn’t matter.” She looped her arm through mine and tugged me toward the tables. “You’re stuck with me.”
“Hey, Ella,” a guy called as we passed by. He ran his fingers through his chestnut-brown hair and pulled out a seat at the table. “Why don’t you two join me here?”
“We were going to have girl talk.” She tugged me on, but he stepped in front of us and pouted.
“Are you coming to the bar tonight?” His green eyes stayed locked on her. “The whole… group is going.” His tight shirt emphasized his muscular build, and he had to be close to six feet tall.”
“You know I hate going. They refuse to serve me alcohol.” She sighed and rolled her eyes.
“Bring your friend here.” His gaze landed on me. “She looks to be a freshman. There. Problem solved.”
“Hell, yeah.” She turned to face me and grinned. “I mean you do owe me one after the coffee.”
“No… I’d better not.” I had a date with Netflix tonight, so they were shit out of luck.
“Aw, come on.” He reached over and touched my arm. “It’s a group of our friends, and we behave for the most part.”
I jerked back. I didn’t like being touched. “Doesn’t really sound like my scene.”
“What?” He laughed as his forehead furrowed. “It’s every college student’s scene.”
“Maybe when they’re drinking age.” She rolled her eyes and sighed. “Mason makes sure they know I’m underage. The one thing I wish he’d be chill over, and he’s not.”
“Having a brother who cares must suck.” Her strange comments amused me. “Though it sounds fun, I have homework I need to get done.”
“Please.” She pouted and gave me her puppy dog eyes. “I’ll pick you up and everything. Hell, I’ll buy your dinner.”
“I’m sorry but no.” I couldn’t abandon my whole life’s motto of keeping my distance from everyone, especially supernaturals, now. “I’m sure you can find someone else to go with you.”
“Ugh, but they are so boring and only after my brother.” She whined and pouted.
“Sorry, good luck with all that.”
