Page 31 of Finding My Charming

“I like KROK. What do you do?”

He leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table. He was obviously way more at ease now. “I’m just an intern, but in a few weeks, I’ll be helping out with the night show. One of the guys is going on tour with his band, so I’m taking his spot while he’s gone.”

“No way! You’re going to be a DJ? That’s so cool!”

He nodded and seemed to enjoy my praises. “It’s temporary, but I’m hoping it will lead to a full-time gig.”

“That’s great. I wish I knew what I wanted to do.”

“What are you doing now?”

“This summer I’m working at a law office.”

“A working girl? Very cool.” He winked, and I knew he was teasing me. “Any plans after that?”

I focused on my drink. “I’ll be a freshman at Lincoln this fall.”

“A working-college girl? No way!”

I laughed at his wording. All of my friends were planning on going away to school after graduation. I thought it was the normal thing to do, but I guessed other people could follow their dreams without sitting at a desk for another four years.

“What do you want to study?”

I groaned. “That’s the million-dollar question.”

He laughed, and I couldn’t help but smile. “So? No big plan for your life?”

I shrugged and looked down at my cup. This was a discussion my parents had with me regularly. I knew I wanted to get into a good school, so I’d worked hard so far to ensure that I could, but here I was, working toward my dream school with no plans for the next step.

“No pressure, Elise. If anyone gets not having a clue what you’re going to do, it’s me.”

“Says the guy who’s already starting his career!”

He chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t know about career, but it’s a decent place to start for a guy like me.”

I shot him a questioning look and waited for him to continue.

“I know what everyone thinks of kids like me. I made mistakes when I was young, and now it’s deciding the direction of my life. No college would accept me, and few places would hire me knowing I went to Botts and have a record.”

I wanted to say something — anything — about how stupid that was, but he was right. I’d judged him the instant he told me. Why wouldn’t everyone else?

“That sucks.”

His laughter shook his whole body, which vibrated the table. “It really does.”

We continued talking until we were the last customers. Despite the rocky start, I’d really enjoyed getting to know Wyatt. He was easy to talk to, and I knew he wasn’t judging me or my words. He seemed to simply want to get to know me. I’d had a great time, but that was it. I wasn’t feeling any butterflies. I could see us becoming good friends, but I doubted he was the one who’d changed the charm to red. That one was still out there.

“I had a lot of fun tonight.” His smile was so genuine.

I stared for a moment too long, hoping something inside me would click. Nothing.

“Me too, Wyatt. Thanks for meeting me.”

He motioned for me to go ahead of him toward the door. When we got outside, he began rocking on his feet.

I bit my cheek to keep from laughing. He seemed more nervous now than when I’d first arrived.

“You’ll have to let me know when you start the show. I’ll listen.”