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Xochitl’s words barely registered as Vannah continued to trek her weakened legs along despite being unaware, she was still holding her breath. She exhaled as instructed but couldn’t understand why her heart was racing like it did.
“Jesus Christ, have you ever witnessed such intensity?” Xochitl spoke under her breath. “Maybe we missed something. Maybe heisa boxer and he’s on his way this very minute into the ring ready to beat someone senseless? He sure as heck looks like he’s ready to.”
Vannah shook her head because she was at a loss herself, but then she knew so little about him. His brother was known as Beast and as far as Xochitl had filled her in from all her research, it was for good reason. The man had been as intimidating in the boxing ring as he was to just stand next to. But from what Xochitl had read, he had quite the dark past before his days of reigning in the ring. According to Xochitl he’d even killed a man with his bare hands. Though admittedly when Xochitl went on about everything she’d dredged up about Byron and his family Vannah only really paid attention to anything that applied directly to Byron.
Turning her head to Xochitl who was still going on about how much bigger he seemed this time seeing him this close.
“He didn’t smile.” It was the first words out of Vannah’s mouth after this most recent yet equally breathtaking encounter with the guy. “For someone who could look so intense—like you said—he has one of the most beautiful smiles I’ve ever witnessed. It’s such a contrast to his otherwise hardened expressions.”
“He does have a nice smile.” Xochitl agreed glancing back in his direction. “And hair. Totally love the fade and longer on top look.”
“But he didn’t smile this time.”
Xochitl turned back and peered at her then smirked. “It’s not like you two know each other or anything, Vannah. You’re really gonna get all butt hurt—”
“No,” Vannah said feeling her face warm. “Not butt hurt.” She shrugged feeling stupid for thinking out loud. “I’m just . . . I don’t know, wondering if it has anything to do with me looking like a sweaty pig this time as opposed to the first two times.”
Now Xochitl scoffed. “Girl, sweaty or not you’re killing that workout outfit. If not a fight, we caught Mr. Duplicity readying himself for an intense workout. Did you get a load of the muscle on the guy? You don’t get muscle like that unless you work outhard.”
Xochitl pointing out Byron’s impressive muscle only warmed Vannah’s face further. Despite having clammed up and having only kept her eyes on his, again, she’d seen plenty of photos of him online to know he had a body most women would salivate over. But clearly, he was way out of her league and her reaction to him each time was further proof of that. Besides, she had no business eventhinkingof getting her hopes up about him oranyguy for that matter. Reminding herself what her real focus should be on—her grades while still enjoying her time in college—she attempted to change the subject.
“So, what did we decide? Yay or nay on Frat Row Friday?”
“What?” Xochitl turned to her. “How can you even think of that when what just happened, happened?”
“Whathappened?” Vannah asked nervously knowing full well her friend would be calling her out on her indifference about seeing Byron again.
Xochitl rolled her eyes shaking her head. “Oh, cut the crap, Vannah. He may not have smiled this time, but he’s obviously drawn to you. I may as well be invisible for all the attention I’ve gotten from him in each instance that we’ve seen him. His eyes have zoomed in directly at you each time, and he’s never the least bit subtle about it, either.”
Attempting to make less of it because her belly was tightening now that Xochitl was saying out loud, the very thing Vannah had begun to think, she shrugged. “If there was really any interest don’t you think he would’ve approached me by now?” Before her friend could argue Vannah went on quickly. “Besides.” She lifted her chin. “He’s older and likely not into college freshman who are just looking to have some no-strings-attached fun.”
“Oh, my God. What planet have you been living on?” Her friend scoffed as they walked out the front doors of the gym. “Any man, no matterwhatage, would be into a sexy college freshman.Especiallyif they’re looking for a no-strings-attached, hot and sweaty fling.” Xochitl turned to Vannah, eyes wide open. “But come to think of it. Youwerewith Matt that day at Starbucks. Maybe he thinks you’re unavailable.”
Vannah shook her head as her insides got even tighter because that thought had occurred to her, even before today. She felt too silly to even share with Xochitl, but she’d been secretly disappointed that the moment her and Byron’s eyes had met at Starbucks had been the moment she’d been wiping the whip cream off Matt’s lip.
“Think about it, Vannah,” Xochitl went on with even more conviction. “Maybe Matt’s the reason why there was no smile this time.” This time her too excitable friend stopped and looked back toward the doors of the gym. “Maybeyoushould approach him.”
Grabbing her friend’s arm and nudging her along before she got any crazier ideas, Vannah shook her head. “No way.”
“Whynot?”
“Are youinsane?” Vannah continued to tug her friend along toward her car even as her heart’s thudding sped up with every step she took. “I freeze up just looking at the man. You expect me to justwaltzback in there and actually start up a conversation with him?”
“It’s a gym, Vannah. Wouldn’t be unheard of to try and strike up a conversation with someone who catches your eye. Especially someone whose eyeyou’veobviously caught.”
The moment they were close enough to her car, Vannah clicked the doors open so she could jump in as quickly as possible. Even as Xochitl climbed into the passenger side she was still going on with the now unnerving topic. “Okay, I get it. You’re shy and not used to approaching guys—”
“Men. This isn’t even a guy, Xochitl.” Vannah turned to look back as she pulled out of the parking space, giving her friend a hard look in the process. “This is a grown ass man we’re talking about. A college gradsevenyears older than me. Not to mention he’s a veryhotman. One who likely haswomen,not little eighteen-year-old college freshman girls throwing themselves at him.”
“Oh, I can guarantee you that man has plenty of college girls throwing themselves at him too.” Xochitl retorted, though her comment didn’t help—at all. “But who said anything about you throwing yourself at him? I just meant you go up to him and introduce yourself—”
“Would you?” Vannah turned to face her equally timid friend when they came to a stop. “Would you be willing or evenableto just go up to him and introduce yourself if you were in my position?”
That stumped Xochitl just as Vannah expected. Slumping her shoulders with a sigh, Xochitl turned to face forward. “Probably not.”
“Absolutelynot and you know it.”
“I know.” Xochitl turned back to face her just as the light turned green. “Frat Row Friday. Let’s do it. Let’s go there tonight and practice our approach to guys. Maybe then you can work up the nerve toeventuallytalk to this guy.”
Breathing in deeply, Vannah let out an exasperated but much-needed laugh. “Practice our approach?”
“Yeah, yeah. Granted approaching drunken frat boys will be far less intimidating than approaching someone like this guy but it’s a start.” Xochitl pulled her phone out of the glove compartment. “I’ll invite Clarissa and Sylvia. Sylvia can get her sister to buy us some booze. This way we can loosen up a little. We’ll make a game out of it and take turns. You know Clarissa will be down and after a few drinks so will Sylvia.”
Just like that, it was settled. They’d bepracticing their approachtonight, though Vannah knew there was no chance in hell she’d ever approach Byron. She was certain her awkward ass would make a complete fool of herself if she ever tried. But Xochitl didn’t have to know that. Vannah had been curious about Frat Row Fridays ever since she heard of it. She’d focus on this instead of her friend’s belly-tightening theory about why Byron hadn’t smiled today. Drunken college boys out looking for just a good time, she could deal with. But Vannah meant it when she said Byron was a grown assfineman way beyond her league. She’d humor her roommate for now and let her think she’d consider approaching him eventually, but she knew better. That wasneverhappening.
