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“Thanks. You clean up nice, too. Where are we going?”
“There’s a restaurant a few blocks away. It’s a nice night, if you’d like to walk with me.”
“Absolutely,” I answer, a little too enthusiastically, but I need Noah to hear my voice. As we walk out the door, we pass by Noah’s table and his growl is noticeable, but I pretend like I don’t hear it.
It’s not ten minutes later that my phone begins ringing. Checking the screen, Noah’s number flashes as an incoming call. Pressing ignore, I continue my evening with Luke. He’s going on about something football-related. I couldn’t care less, so I smile and act like I’m listening. A few seconds later, my text notification goes off.
Noah: WTF are you doing?
“I’m sorry, I have to answer it. My cousin is at a party and I promised to be available if she needs me for anything,” I lie.
“No problem.” His smile is endearing, and honest, even. I almost feel bad about using him as Noah bait. Luke seems like the exact kind of guy I would date if I had my head on straight. Maybe after all of this is over I’ll be able to give him a real chance. It’s times like this that I question my own sanity. Remembering it’s all for Karly, I have a little bit of peace, but not much.
Me: I’m on a date. Can I help you with something?
Noah: That guy is a tool. I’ve heard rumors. He’s no good, Zara.
Me: I’m not sure who I date is any of your business.
I glance up at Luke and start to get a little nervous. I never thought he would end up being a Boy Scout, but I don’t take warnings from Noah lightly. Yes, he’s jealous of me spending time with Luke, but I don’t think he’d lie about my safety.
Noah: Please text me when you get home so I know you’re safe.
Me: If I go home…I’ll text you.
Noah: Zara…
Me: Good night, Noah. I know I’ll have one.
I quickly power my phone off before he has a chance to respond. The rest of my night with Luke goes without incident. He is even gentlemanly enough to walk me back to my car parked at the student union. I won’t lie and say he didn’t try to kiss me, but I turned my face at the right moment. When his lips touched my skin, I didn’t feel those butterflies I do with Noah—I kind of felt dirty.
“We’ll have to do this again soon,” he says, opening my car door for me.
“Yeah,” I say through my teeth and smile. He’s a nice-enough guy, but leading him on doesn’t feel right. I hope another beautiful coed will catch his attention and he’ll forget all about little old me.
Walking through the front door, the apartment is empty…again. Tossing all my stuff on the dining room table, I walk back to the bedroom and quickly disrobe. After I slip into a sleep shirt and shorts, I grab my phone from the nightstand and text Noah.
Me: Home.
Noah: Safe?
Me: Maybe.
Noah: Thanks.
Chapter 14
Noah
All was quiet today in class. Zara didn’t make any attempts to talk to me, which made everything a little easier. Granted, it’s still pretty difficult to watch her walk past my desk and smile as she chats with Luke.
Luke is a fairly good student, but I know guys like him. He might as well be Lance’s younger, more perverted twin brother. All the kid does is rant about what girl he’s fucked and who he’s going to fuck next. His latest conversations have included Zara’s name. And she’s playing into his hands. How can she be so stupid?
“Ms. Hamilton. Can I see you after class today?” I ask, needing to tell her more about this fucker who’s getting her attention.
Instead of answering my question, she and Luke continue talking. No doubt making plans for him to fuck her in the backseat of his car. Not on my watch. Especially with the relationship she has with her boyfriend, he’s not the kind of guy she needs to be involved with.
“Ms. Hamilton,” I say again, with more authority. Her head twists toward me—along with half the room. She has a smile on her lips. A fucking smile. He’s making her happy. Fuck. This isn’t like me. I can’t have these kinds of emotions.
