After our run we stop back on campus for a bagel and smoothie. When I try to pay Reed practically tackles me down forcing his money in the cashiers hand.
“Hey, I can pay once in a while,” I state still trying to push my money forward.
“You’re kidding, right?” I shake my head no and he looks like he is going to fall into a fit of laughter. “Kate, you’ve seen my car and condo. I can more than afford to treat my girlfriend… plus it’s my job.” The cashier hands him back his change and we make our way to a little table.
“Yeah, but what if you were just a regular poor college student like the rest,” I inquire further.
“Well, I’m not and even if I was then I would get my broke ass a job to still pay for you.”
“What if your dad took it all away though?” I ask boldly knowing that I’m swimming in unchartered waters.
His eyes shift to the side looking out the window and his jaw tightens. “That could happen, sooner than I even expect and if that does then you can buy me a bagel, okay?” He smiles and then winks at me for good measure lightening the mood.
“Fine, I’ll hold you to that.”
“Oh, I know you will,” he says while holding my hand and rubbing my pinky finger. “Until then I want to spoil you.”
We eat our bagels and drink our juice talking about the rest of the weekend. The reminder that tonight he’ll be with his dad… and Jessica sits heavily on me. “I need to get to the library to study today.”
“Come back to my place and study,” he requests. I smile and let a little chuckle out.
“I can’t study with you… you’re too distracting,” I tease him.
“Who me?”
“Yes, you more than anything else I use to distract myself.”
“Then I’ll come with you and study at the library.” He’s persistent and it only me makes me laugh more.
“No, I’ll just be staring at you wishing you were touching me doing God knows what,” I say playfully and his smile turns seductive.
“Then I’ll take you off in a corner to touch you and do God knows what,” he says while waggling his eyebrows at me.
Shaking my head no, “Reed! No, I’ll never get anything done and I have some tests coming up. Plus, I’m sure you need to study, Mr. Lawyer.”
“Okay, true, but what if Andy or some other guy hits on you. I don’t want anyone trying to take my girl.” My heart flops over hearing him call me his girl and inside I snicker that he worries still about another guy. Ridiculous.
“Do you really think you have to worry? I’ll tell them that I’m taken.” I dangle my wrist in front of him showing him the bracelet. “Plus I have this to protect me.”
“Good, tell them that you are mine, baby, all mine.” He pulls me into his lap and his lips brush along my ear and he whispers, “Mine.” His hands grope up the back of my thighs and he pinches my ass causing me to squeal.
“I’ll miss you tonight,” I say quietly with nervous energy spreading in my chest as I think about his dinner. Losing my filter I blurt out, “I’m nervous that Jessica will be at dinner with you.”
“Look at me,” he says and I turn my head to face him. “You have nothing to worry about. This is all I want. You are all I want and I can call you as soon as I’m done.”
“Okay,” I breath shakily wishing I could beg him not to go, but trying to reassure myself of the bond we have and the trust we share. “I’m doing a girls night though tonight. We’re going dancing at that new club on the east side. Then I want to hang with Mags back at the dorm… I feel bad because I haven’t been around as much.” His eyes press close and I hear his teeth grit into each other. I stroke my fingers up his cheeks and cup his face. “Hey?” I question him.
He opens his eyes and the blue looks a little darker than just a moment ago. “Please don’t dance with any other guys.”
“I won’t, just the girls. Are you mad?” A quick memory of Kyle’s tight leash on me when we dated crosses my mind and I begin to feel anxious.
“Shit, sorry, no not at all, baby. I’m glad you are going out with your friends, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about the guys that will hit on you.” My tension lessens and I ease myself closer to him, resting my face into his neck.
“No one is going to hit on me, trust me. All the other girls will be there and I won’t be noticed.”
“Katherine.” He takes in a breath and then grips my hip. “You are the first girl every guy notices. You’re beautiful, sexy and pretty. I guarantee you’ll be hit on at least three times throughout the night.”
“I’ll tally it up and let you know, but you’ll lose,” I joke.
“It’s a deal. Loser owes the winner a homemade breakfast on Sunday.”
“Deal.”
After spending the day in the library I rush back to the dorm to start getting ready for the girls night. I take a long hot shower scrubbing over my body thoroughly letting the music from my phone soothe me. As soon as I get out I start working on my hair because drying it all the way through takes the longest. I decide that I’ll see if Quinn will fix it after and do my make-up too. As I’m brushing my teeth my phone starts ringing with the sounds of The Wallflowers.
“Hi handsome,” I answer through my full mouth of toothpaste. I spit and gurgle with the phone set on the sink counter. Picking it back up I say, “sorry I was brushing my teeth.”
“I could hear that. How was studying?”
“Good, I got a lot done, but found myself still distracted daydreaming of you,” I tease. “How about you?”
“About the same it sounds. What time are you leaving?”
“In about an hour and a half. I think we’ll grab some dinner first. When are you leaving?” I try my best to keep the worry out of my tone, but as I swallow past the feeling of anxiousness I doubt I’m successful.
“In a few here. I just wanted to tell you to have fun and that I’m looking forward to watching you in my kitchen cooking me breakfast tomorrow.”
With a huff and a chuckle I roll my eyes telling him, “You’re ridiculous, you know?”
“Not at all. What are you going to wear?”
“A dress,” I whisper. “With boots. What are you going to wear?” I figure I have just as much to worry over, if not more so. Competing with longevity and history could be a tough battle.
“Well, for sure I’ll win then. I have to wear dress pants and a shirt tonight.” He hesitates taking in a deep breath and before I let him continue.
“I could wear jeans if that makes you feel better,” I half joke.
“I’ll still win. I think I’m screwed either way, babe.” I can hear him click his tongue. “You’re right, I am being ridiculous, but I can’t help wanting to keep you to myself. I’d prefer you in a snowsuit… you’d still be noticed though.”
“I’m the one who needs to worry. I have a pit in my stomach thinking about tonight. I still remember what she looked like in that picture too and… she’s really pretty.” Putting my insecurities flat out on the table I take a deep breath.
“Hey… stop,” the words leave his mouth like a sweet caress sheltering me. “You know how I feel about you. I’ve never, never thought someone was as pretty as you are, ever. I never will either, Kate… you’re it for me.” Breathing in deep, hearing his words I realize I need to put my trust in him and this relationship.
“Okay, I believe you and trust you. I just get worried that I can’t compete with that kind of history and I don’t want to lose you.” Honesty flows from me easier than I can remember it coming to me.
“There is no competition. It’s just you and that is not changing, okay?”
“Okay. I’ll miss you though… and you’ll be making me breakfast tomorrow!” I lighten the conversation.
“I’ll miss you too. Have fun and be careful please. Promise to call me if you need anything too… well, text me through out the night anyway.”
“Good luck at your dinner… I hope it’s not too hard f
or you.”
We hang up and my heart doesn’t feel so heavy about this dinner Reed has, but more fonder. The short absence and knowing that we won’t be together tonight creates a longing for him. Slipping into my dress and leggings I shiver as the silky material slides over my skin, but when I look in the mirror I like what I see. My olive complexion shines from the lotion and the straps of the dress hit at my collarbones exposing my neck. The tone in my arms looks nice and the bracelet from Reed compliments the look perfectly. Opening the bathroom door I come out to see Maggie dressed in a trendy paisley print shift dress. She already has her signature red lipstick imprinted on her full lips.
“Woo hoo, look at you!” She practically cat calls.
“Oh stop! I love that dress though,” I say as I make my way over to my sock drawer. “Hey, you think Quinn will do my make-up and hair?”
“You know it. So has Reed seen what you’re wearing?”
“No, but I told him a dress… I don’t think he was thrilled with it,” I laugh. “We have a bet tonight too. He thinks at least three guys will hit on me tonight.”
Maggie places her hand on her hip, “You are so losing, girlfriend. Funny though, because Marco thinks the same thing!” We start cracking up and then the door flies open with a decked out Quinn in a strapless lace bustier dress and high heels to adorn her dainty feet.
On cue Maggie and I whistle at her and she obliges with a twirl. “I need you to do my hair and make-up, Quinny,” I practically whine.
Settling in my desk chair Quinn wastes no time to start my transformation. She curls my hair so it lies long with wavy ringlets throughout down my back and my make-up is subtle like always, except this time she adds some smokiness to my eyes.
“I have a fun idea girls,” Maggie says with a smirk on her face. “Let’s show our boys what they’re missing… let’s take an individual picture of each of us and text it to them.” We all giggle and Quinn automatically starts to get in her pose. No question she looks hot and I’m sure Matt will be missing her.
“So Marco’s your boy officially?” Quinn asks.
“Well, something like that… I’m trying to take it slow. Plus, he’s not here until next week.” She throws out over her shoulder as she stands in front of the mirror puckering her lips.
“Mags, what does that mean?” I question her instantly.
She turns to face me and sees the concern on my face. “Nothing, oh God! You think I’m going to hook up with someone else. No, no nothing like that. I’m just taking it slow, but I’m invested in this with him.”
“Okay, good. I just don’t want you to do something you’ll regret,” I say sincerely.
“We are all going to have a fun night, but we’ll all be good… but getting free drinks is allowed!” Quinn agrees and I just shake my head at her.
Snap. I take Quinn’s picture and she texts it over to Matt. Then I snap Maggie’s picture and she sends it over to Marco. I’m next and feel awkward, but Maggie tells me to lean against the hinge of the doorframe with one leg up a little and no smile. When I look at the shot it takes me back for a moment because it’s me, but altered slightly. The pose is sexy and the no smiling only adds to the appeal. Feeling good and confident that Reed will enjoy this I press send. Not two seconds later he texts me back.
Fuck me. Reed
Good or no good? Katherine
Very good, you’re hot and I’m hard now. Reed
A smile plasters across my face and before I can respond back Reed continues to text me.
Pls let all the guys know u r mine. Reed
I don’t want to have to kick anyone’s ass. Reed
God, baby, I miss u and your body. Reed
I laugh as his continuous texts pile in. Guess he liked it.
Miss u 2. Katherine
Where r u going to dinner? Reed
Tapas place on Water St. Katherine
We leave the dorm room and head down to Jenna and Kelly’s room. As we walk down the hall two guys from around the corner start walking towards us for the opposite direction cat calling and whistling. Brandon and Derek stand in front of Kelly and Jenna’s room. My eyes shift to Maggie to see her reaction to Brandon. Brandon’s staring at her, but his eyes stay trained on her face un-wandering. She smiles and they naturally walk off to the side of the rest of us.
“Dang, Kate, has Reed seen this?” Derek asks.
“Yes, I sent him a picture actually.” He shakes his head in disbelief.
“Wow, look at you. I’m surprised he’s letting you out of his sight tonight,” he teases. Then the door opens with Jenna in a wide legged pants jumpsuit showing just enough cleavage. When Kelly steps through Derek grabs her pushing her back into the room a bit more and up against the wall. She’s dressed in a one-shouldered sleek black dress with high heels on. This is the least proper I’ve ever seen Kelly. Derek’s jaw literally dropped open. Watching Derek’s lip graze Kelly’s neck and then whispering in her ear causes an ache to form thinking of Reed’s lips.
Lynn makes her way over to us in her strapless peplum red shirt and skinny jeans with a pair of flats. Quinn and her gravitate to each other fluffing each other’s hair. I hear Maggie telling Brandon to have a fun night and that she’ll see him around and then the rest of us all say goodbye to the guys.
We jump in a van taxi and head towards the lake. Along the way we start to approach Reed’s dad’s restaurant and I glance in through the windows hoping to sneak a peek, but don’t see him.
Once in the restaurant we all crowd in and by pass the bar to get a table for dinner. As we check in at the hostess stand she asks, “Is there a Kate Monroe here?” With confusion I approach and tell her yes. She smiles and says that she has a table all set for us. She takes us towards the back and we all enter into a small private room with a table big enough for us all. We each sit down questioning why we have this private room and then two waiters enter bringing in pitchers of Sangria and a tray filled with small plates. Not two more seconds go by and I realize who did this. I look at Maggie and it hits her too. She mouths, “Reed,” and I shake my head smiling. Quickly, I pull out my phone.
What did u do? Katherine
Spoiling u. Reed
Thank u, xoxo Katherine
X. Reed
We dive into the delicious food and drinks. The more alcohol we consume the sillier we get. Eventually, all the girls know its Reed who arranged this. They all gush over how lucky I am and I agree.
“So I have something to tell you girls,” Quinn burst out. We all stare at her ready to hear what she has to say. “I’m going to enroll in beauty school this summer up here and still pursue a business degree.”
“What? Really! That is so awesome!” Lynn states and we all follow suit congratulating her.
“You’ll be amazing,” I tell her.
“So, then you can still live up here in a house with us this summer right?” Maggie asks.
“Yes, for sure. I’m so excited about this. I feel like I finally know my path now.” The smile on her face hits her rosy cheeks and you can see the excitement fill her whole body.
“Well, I guess, I should tell you my plans too…” Lynn presses on. “I’m leaving in May still to go abroad, but I’ll be staying for the next semester. I’ll do some traveling first, but then I’ll stay for this program in France.”
“No way! That is so you, Lynn!” Kelly exclaims excitedly. “Who’s going to be here this summer though now? We need to finalize a house or something.”
“I think I will be … just need to work on my dad,” I tell her.
“Jenna, what about you?” I ask knowing Maggie will be here.
“I think I’m out. I have to go back home and help for the summer, but I’ll want to live with you girls in the fall.”
“Mags you’re in right?” Kelly looks to her and she shakes her head.
“Okay, I’ll confirm with my dad and then maybe next week we can scope out some places.”
Finishing up our food and drinks w
e wobbly make it out after the waitress assures us the bill has been taken care of. The girls all thank me for the dinner and drinks, which seems silly because I had nothing to do with it.
We head over to the dance club much looser and definitely rowdier. The noise level of our chatter only increases as we head through the doors of the club. The music pumps through my slightly buzzed state making me move myself to the beat. Before we head to the crowded dance floor we make our way over to a long frosted glass bar.
“Shots!” Maggie yells and we all agree. Just as we order a round of tequila shots a group of guys hover around us. They don’t look familiar or like they are still in college. One of them struts through us up to the bar and hands the bar tender his credit card.
“I’ve got this round ladies, but you’ll have to dance with us now.” Me and Kelly step to the side not wanting to lead them on, but it’s too late because the others have already agreed. My mind buzzes and I’m finding it difficult to not sway or giggle. Bravely I grab my shot though and just as I’m about to take it down. One of the guys grabs my arm.
“Hold up, sweetheart. Let’s do a toast girls,” he says as some of the shot spills onto my hand. His brown eyes check me out from head to toe and when he moves in closer to me my response isn’t quick enough. He licks the spilled shot off my fingers. I give him one of my dirtiest looks and back away over towards Maggie.
“That’s one,” Maggie states.
“Oh stop, that doesn’t count,” I argue.
“Yes it does! He licked you!” She drapes her arm around me practically pulling us down to the ground. “I could call Reed and ask what he thinks, I’m sure he’d agree with me.”
“Fine, that’s one.”
“Ok, boys you want a toast, I have one for you,” Maggie rallies everyone into a circle. The guys all scan over us as if they just hit the jackpot. “Ok, here’s to the men we love,” Jenna starts chiming in and soon the others follow suit, “here’s to the men that love us,” I just hold my shot glass up because clearly I haven’t been out with them when they’ve done this before. “But if the men we love don’t love us, SCREW them and here’s to us.” The girls are yelling now and guys all start to boycott our toast.
The Perfect Emotion (Book Two of The Perfect Series) Page 26