Page 7 of Always Be My Baby

“I’m not a child, Cammy. I’ll be fine. Go to your group study,” she said wearily with her eyes closed. “I’m just going to sleep.”

“But you have the flu, Leah.” I raised the blanket a bit higher, past her arm. Even wearing her sweat outfit, she shivered.

Leah glanced at the bedside table with one eye peeled slightly open. “I have everything I need. You’re such a good friend. Now go. Who’s in your group? Do I know anyone in your group?”

“No. I don’t think so.”

I suddenly felt guilty. I wouldn’t be going to this group study if a hot guy hadn’t asked me to join. He was only being nice, I told myself. Nothing was going on. Besides, it wasn’t going to be just the two of us.

“Well,” I continued, my voice rising, “this guy from my economic class asked me to join his group.”

“Oh really?” Despite her fever, Leah giggled. “Does this guy have a name?”

“Grayson Parker.”

“Grayson Parker?” She sounded like she either knew him or found his name to be strange. “Does he have blue eyes, light brownish air, a very hot body, and is a bit taller than six feet?”

“Yes,” I drawled. “Do you know him?”

Leah flashed her eyes open and sat up. Her hair stuck out and makeup smeared under her eyes. “He’s Grayson. All the single and not-single girls are drooling after him. I know a few girls who have asked him out, and he declined. We thought he had a girlfriend. But oh my God, Cammy. He asked you out?”

“No.” My face paled. I had no idea why. Guilt? Did he ask me out? Did I say yes? “No,” I said again. “I, he, he asked me to join a study group.”

Leah at last surrendered and fell back to her pillow with her eyes closed. “Have fun.”

I closed the door, grabbed my backpack, and strolled to the library. Peace and quiet pervaded the room. Most of the seats were taken. The sound of shoes clicking and pages flipping filled the air.

I went through double doors and searched for Grayson. Besides Grayson, I had no idea who else was in our group. Maybe this was a bad idea. Just as I decided to go back home, soft air brushed against my ear, and that warm, spicy scent filled me.

“Looking for me, Cammy?” a low, manly voice whispered, producing shivers through me.

I whirled, gulping down air. My heart thumped faster as my eyes set on his heavenly blue ones. So blue, gazing into them felt like floating in a cloudless sky. He wore jeans, a flannel, and a baseball cap backward.

“Huh. Hey.” I suddenly forgot his name. I forgot how to breathe. I forgot who and where I was.

“Good. ‘Cause I’ve been looking for you, too, and now I’ve found you. I realized I forgot to tell you which table. I didn’t have your phone. I couldn’t call you. We need to fix that problem right now.” He took out a piece of paper from his back pocket. “Do you have a beeper?”

I nodded.

“Your phone and pager number please.” After I told him, he gave me a little notepaper with his number on it. “Now you have both of mine, too. This way.” Placing a gentle hand behind my back, he took me to the table next to the tall bookcase.

Two girls and two guys sat at a round table. They smiled when they saw us approach. Thank God they were friendly and welcoming. After Grayson introduced us, we got right down to business. Two hours later, we were done and out the door. We had a great review session, and I felt ready to take the test.

“This was great, Grayson. Thank you for inviting me.” I shivered as the night breeze suddenly became cooler. Spring wind was unpredictable.

Before I could blink, Grayson took off his long-sleeve red and black flannel shirt and draped it over me. He wore a black T-shirt underneath. My treacherous eyes darted to his hard biceps when they curved around me. I dipped my chin lower.

“Oh. Thank you. Anyway, I should get going.” I adjusted my backpack and veered away.

“Let me walk you home.” He slid right next to me.

“You don’t have to walk me home. I just live across the street.” I quickened my steps.

“It’s dark and it’s late. I’d feel better if I walked you back. I’m doing this more for me than you, you know.” He gave me a sly grin, those adorable dimples deepening.

I snorted. “Fine. But you’ve been warned, I’m a jaywalker or whatever you call it.”

He chuckled.