Page 24 of Break Points and Face Offs

“What? Don’t be ridiculous. I was just thinking about how inappropriate your clothes are for a meeting.”

He sighs, slamming the book shut and leaning forward to put it on the table. When he rests his elbows on his thighs, his hoodie bunches and thankfully covers the parts I’d been trying not to look at.

“This isn’t your fancy fraternity, Rosie, or your country club. This is a college. Look around. There are people in sweatpants all around you.”

“This is Princeton, William. We should have standards.”

He looks like he’s contemplating continuing the argument. I ready myself for a retort, telling myself I can take whatever he throws at me. He runs a hand through his hair.

“Shall we just carry on without them? We can figure something out and discuss it with the rest of the group at our next meeting.”

I wasn’t expecting that. He has me tongue-tied, so I just nod.

It’s dark by the time we get out of the library. I only realize I’m starving when I hear Will’s stomach growl.

“What time is it?” he asks before consulting his phone. “Shit, the cafeteria will be closed by now.”

“Why don’t you just go home and order a pizza with your buddies? Isn’t that what jocks do?”

“Didn’t you play competitive tennis, Rosie?”

Okay, that Rosie thing is really starting to get on my nerves. When will he stop?

“Tennis players are mostly lean.”

His gaze flickers automatically over my body, like he’s checking to see if I’m telling the truth. I suddenly feel hot. I’m wearing a shirt and blazer and loose chinos, so it isn’t like he can even get a read on what my body looks like, but still.

I clear my throat. “We kept to a strict nutrition plan … well, most of us did. Some people still ate like pigs.” Nathan eating cold pizza from the fridge comes to mind. I shudder.

“Whatever. I’ll see you at class tomorrow.”

He heads off in the opposite direction from where my car is parked.

“Where are you going?” I call after him.

“Home,” he shouts back without turning around.

I should just let him walk or get the bus to wherever he’s going, but I want to get this group thing done to the highest standard, and for that, I need my number two in command well rested and well fed. It’s already going to be hard enough for him to focus while holding down two jobs.

“Don’t you want food?”

He stops and pauses before turning around. “Thought I’d just order pizza like a jock.” He grins. It’s infuriating. And for some reason, it causes heat to pool in the pit of my stomach.

“I know a place. A good all-night diner.”

He puts his hands in his pockets, hesitating.

“My treat,” I add.

He squints at me. “What are you after, Rosie?”

I’m too tired to keep in the groan this time.

“Maybe I can bribe you to stop using that god-awful nickname.”

He laughs, walking back to me. When he gets close, I get a whiff of cologne. It’s different to the kind I wear—it’s fresh and fruity.

“I’ll think about it,” he says.