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18
Elizabeth
Brenden offers me a cup as I approach. “Hope you don’t mind I ordered this for you. It’s great for workout recovery, but it’s also the best tasting drink on the menu.”
I made an excuse to run to the locker room while he waited in line. It felt like my heart was going to beat right out of my chest as I washed my face, fixed my hair, and got some of the stink off me. I even considered making a run for it.
Tilting my head to the side, I regard the white styrofoam before looking back at him with a furrowed brow. I’ve never liked when someone tries to order for me, and he broke my Dutch rule. My natural instinct is to scold him for this behavior, but instead, I find myself feeling all gushy.
“Don’t worry, it was free,” he says when I don’t take the drink from his hand. “Perks of the job. And if I’m wrong and you hate it, I’ll go order whatever you want. Just try it. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
I reach out to take it without a word, my eyes remaining on his as I bring the straw to my lips and take a sip. “Oh my gosh, that’s really good,” I hum, before taking another small sip.
“Told you so,” he boasts, gesturing for me to take a seat at one of the tables.
Once I do, Brenden joins me, smirking as he sips his own drink.
“Yeah, yeah, smarty pants. What’s in it?”
“Oh, you know, healthy stuff like protein and vitamins mixed with delicious stuff like chocolate and coffee. That’s what makes it so yummy.”
“What’s it called, The Brenden?” I muse, looking down at my drink.
“No, but you could suggest a name change,” he teases.
He flashes me a sexy, cocky smile as I lift my head, making me feel instantly at ease.
“So, anything interesting planned for the rest of your weekend?”
“Not really. Jon’s parents are coming over for dinner tonight.”
“You and Jon live together?”
“Yeah, I know,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck as he chuckles. “We’re a pathetic couple of bachelors. Jon’s mom is forever scolding us about never being able to settle down with a nice woman living the way we do.”
“Are you close to Jon’s parents?”
“Yeah. I’ve known Jon nearly my whole life, and his parents have always been good to me. They treat me like their own son.”
“That’s cool. And what about Jon? Is he close to your parents also?”
Brenden’s body stiffens, his eyes darkening as he casts them down toward his drink. His jaw works back and forth while he fidgets with his straw, an awful screeching sound filling the silence as it moves in and out of the lid.
Shaking his head, he finally replies with a “nope”—a finality in his tone.
I know better than to pry, even if I’m dying to ask more. He’s unintentionally given me another glimpse into Brenden Scott. And we’re kindred spirits. Two souls who are a little torn and weary from life.
A prolonged silence falls between us as I study him, staring as if he holds the key to all life’s mysteries. His eyes lock on mine as they lift, the jolt of electricity it sends through me nearly stealing my breath. His gaze feels too invasive and intense, like his soul is trying to speak to mine.
“Brenden?” someone says, gaining his attention.
Relief washes over me, air rushing out of my lungs as he breaks his hold over me. I follow his eyes, landing on a young woman approaching the table. The smile on her face is so wide it looks like it might crack open, but she isn’t looking at him the way the women in his class were. The look on her face is one of admiration, not lust.
Brenden
“Hi, Callie. How are you?” I ask, both relieved and disappointed for the interruption.
Callie’s son, Seth, came to me last year for some help and advice on getting into college, and she hasn’t stopped expressing her gratitude since.
