AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I shake my head and take another sip of my drink. “No. I stay off campus at home. It’s just me and my dad.”
“I don’t mean to pry, but…where’s your mom?” he asks.
My fingers trace the school logo printed on the coffee cup. “She died when I was a baby,” I answer. I’m not even sure why I told him. I hardly know him—and I don’t even know his name—and here I am telling him personal things about my life that most people don’t really know. Something about him is oddly comforting, making it seem like he’s someone I can trust.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” His eyes soften a little as his head tilts a little. I wave him off.
“It’s fine. I don’t have many memories of her since I was so young. It’s just been my dad and me for as long as I can remember.”
“It’s good that you have him.” He takes a swallow of his coffee before those chocolate eyes fall on me once again. “Did you grow up around here?”
“Been here my whole life.”
“Probably explains why so many people know you,” he replies, his boyish grin returning. I giggle in response even though his statement isn’t necessarily true. I’m only popular because I’m famous on social media, but it seems this guy has no idea who I am. Honestly, it’s nice to have a normal conversation with a regular guy without having to worry about being hounded for a social media shout-out or some other clout-chasing nonsense.
“That and my father tends to be a pretty big deal around town,” I answer. “He’s pretty successful in his business ventures and does a lot in the community and such.” I meet his gaze as I toss my golden locks over my shoulder. “Enough about me, though. What about you? I’ve never seen you on campus before today.”
“Oh yeah.” He clears his throat as he straightens his posture. “I’m actually new here. Just transferred from a community college to finish the final two years of my criminal justice degree. Just started here this semester.”
“Oh, cool. And your family? Are they local, too?”
His gaze falls to the table as his entire demeanor shifts. “I, uh, I don’t have a family,” he starts. “I grew up in foster care and have been on my own since I aged out of the system.”
“Oh. I’m…Jesus. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked,” I stammer, heat flushing my skin as embarrassment washes over me.
He chuckles and shakes his head. “It’s fine. I think I’ve fared pretty well despite the cards handed to me. Most kids like me don’t end up in a prestigious university full of rich kids.” His cheeky grin returns, which puts me at ease. “One group home leader once told me that it’s not about where you start but how you finish. Things are rough sometimes, but I work odd jobs here and there to get by.”
Handsome and humble, I think to myself as I sip my latte. “That’s a great way to look at things. It’s inspiring, really.”
“Besides, it’s not too bad. I mean, I managed to bump into a pretty girl and got her to agree to have coffee with me. Sounds like a win to me.”
I laugh and hold up my coffee cup. “I guess we can drink to that!”
My Apple Watch vibrates with text message alerts from my father, and I sigh inwardly. He looks at me from across the table with a knowing grin.
“I guess that’s your cue to head home, huh?” he asks before bringing his cup to his lips.
“I’m sorry. My dad has this event coming up that I’m supposed to be helping with?—”
“It’s fine. Maybe we can meet up for coffee another time and skip the collision part this time.”
I giggle as I stood, slinging my backpack over my shoulder. “I’d like that. Do you have a pen or something to take my number down?”
He pulls his phone from his back pocket and opens his contacts. I rattle off my number to him, and he looks up at me.
“You know, I’ve been talking to you this whole time and never even asked your name,” he says.
“It’s Morgan. And you’re….?”
“Trent.”
“Well, nice to meet you, Trent,” I say as a text message with his name comes through on my watch. “And now I have your number as well.”
“Perfect. I guess I’ll be seeing you around, Ms. Morgan,” he says with a smile before he turns and heads in the opposite direction with a parting wave.
“I’m sure you will,” I murmur, mostly to myself. I watch him until I can no longer see him before I head out, a small smile on my face. Maybe today isn’t a complete bust after all.
3
