“Hi, Gavin Cole. I’m glad El is making friends so fast.” She looks over at me and smiles, overtly comfortable with this situation. “I don’t think I have ever actually seen a guy carry a girl’s bag before. Are you sure you’re human?”
If only she knew there were real people in this world that are not so human. Gavin smiles and shakes his head. “I will neither confirm nor deny that.”
Kassy smirks. “I think I like you already. Our friend Liam is going to be glad to have a little more testosterone in this group.” She nudges me in the shoulder. “I invited Liam to have lunch with us, by the way.”
“Hey, I heard my name. Are you girls gossiping about how cute I am and how much you’ve missed me? That is just the sweetest.” Liam bounds over to us, full of energy. He is handsome in his totally sweet and goofy surfer boy way, with the perfectly wavy dirty-blonde hair and sun-kissed skin that one can only get from growing up on a beach in Southern California. He grabs Kassy and me into a group hug and introduces himself to Gavin, all in one fell swoop. That boy just never seems to slow down.
We all grab some food and I nearly have to fight Gavin as he tries to pay for my meal. I lose the battle, causing him to walk away with a huge smirk plastered across his perfect face. “Aren’t you just so proud of yourself?” I ask as his grin deepens.
“Yes, incredibly, thank you.”
I smile behind his back and follow him out the back door of the large dining hall. I am relieved that we are able to find a table outside so we can enjoy the nice weather while we eat. The outdoors is much more my element and the gorgeous Oregon landscape is nothing less than breathtaking.
I catch myself continually glancing at Gavin and I know Kassy sees it too. I can see the wheels turning in her head, but she ignores my warning glare and leans on her elbows over her half-eaten turkey sandwich on wheat. “How old are you, Gavin? You look older than us freshmen and you obviously know your way around the dining hall, so I’m sure this isn’t your first year here.”
“You’re right, Kassy. I am a junior and I will be twenty-one in December.” He looks my way, gauging my reaction. I just smile and blush a little at his observing eyes. I’m a little embarrassed because I probably look like such a kid to him.
Kassy continues her questionnaire, “Where are you from?” I pin her with my best ‘back off’ stare, aware that she is grilling him for my benefit.
“My family has always lived around here. My parents have a house in the woods up past Jacksonville.”
Kassy leans in further, inquisition on her face. “Do you have a big family?”
He leans in too, looking amused. “Yes, there are tons of us spread around. Only one sibling though.”
“Brother or sister?”
“Little sister.”
“Do you live on campus or with your parents?”
I almost scream at her. “Kassy! Let the man breathe.”
“I’m just getting to know our new friend, El.” She smiles but doesn’t turn away from the poor guy.
He gives her another one of his deep chuckles. “It’s fine. I hope we can all be good friends, so I’m an open book. I actually live in my own place near my folk’s property.”
“You own your own home?” I ask, surprised.
He makes me feel like I’m the only other person in the room with his attentive gaze. “Yes. My uncle Jack helped me design and build it. He’s an architect and loves creating new things, though I didn’t give him as much creative license as he would’ve wanted.” I feel like I could melt with the way his eyes are so focused on me while he talks. Why was Kassy so cool with those eyes looking at her?
Liam breaks my trance with his loud voice, reminding me that he is still here. “That’s sweet, man! I’d kill to do something like that. I’ve never built a house, but I live for putting things together from almost nothing. My folks couldn’t drag me out of my gramp’s auto shop back in Cali.”
“You guys are welcome to the grand tour anytime, and my family has some pretty great cars as well.”
“Seriously?” Liam asks, overly excited.
“Absolutely. I’m always around.” He smiles my way, showing off that adorable dimple before something catches his eye out in the courtyard. His smile drops and his face quickly turns serious. “Excuse me but I have to go. I just remembered I, uh, have an appointment that I’m running late for.” He stands straight up and gives us a small wave goodbye before leaving without another word.
“That was odd,” I mumble under my breath, disappointed after he is out of sight. I study the courtyard for a moment and don’t see anything out of the ordinary.
“O.M.G, El!” Kassy interrupts my thoughts. “That boy is more than smokin’ hot. More like smoldering.” She fans herself with her napkin.
“Really? O.M.G? Are we texting right now, Kass?”
“Hey, he deserves an O.M.G. Did you not see him? You practically sank out of your seat in a puddle when he looked at you.”
“I did not.” I protest rather weakly.
Liam reminds us of his presence again by clearing his throat across the round table. “Alright, girls, even though Gavin is just so dreamy, I’d rather discuss something else, if possible.”
“Sorry, Liam. You are super handsome too, okay?” Kassy touches his arm and I notice Liam develops a little blush of his own. Interesting. “Do you feel better now?”
“Thank you. That’s much better.” He puffs up his chest and sits up straighter, making Kassy and I giggle. “Anyway, I told you
