Playing Hard to Get(18)

“The last three days,” is my automatic answer.

“You’re keeping count?”

Well, that’s embarrassing. “You didn’t answer my question.”

He lifts a single brow, glancing around the cavernous space loaded with books before his gaze returns to mine. “I like to read?”

He says it like a question, which is kind of funny. But I stifle any laughter because I’m being serious.

Why does he keep coming back in here and talking to me? I don’t get it.

“You do not. I’ve never seen you buy one single book.” I turn to my computer and enter his name into the database. It comes up empty, no surprise. Odd though, considering he’s a senior. There are other ways to get textbooks, but the campus store is so convenient. “We don’t even have your info on file.”

“I always pay with cash.”

No one pays with cash. He has to be teasing me.

“Even if you pay cash, we end up getting everyone’s info eventually. We have a great rewards program. You could earn a free coffee or muffin from the café with only a few purchases.”

He steps away from the counter, waving a hand at himself. “Do I look like I eat muffins?”

I roll my eyes. He just shifted back into obnoxious mode.

And no, he doesn’t look like he eats muffins, while I probably do.

I tuck my cardigan tighter around my body. “I don’t understand you.”

“What I don’t understand…” He’s leaning against the counter again, so close I can smell him. His scent is like a crisp fall day. Autumn leaves and sharp apple and woodsy smoke, all mixed together. “Is how you know my name.”

Oh crap. Now I look like a stalker, but come on. Everyone on campus knows his name.

Even me.

My gaze locks with his and I wonder if I look as nervous as I feel. “Please. You’re a celebrity here. Plus, you’ve made two purchases on your credit card, which has your name on it.”

His smile grows, if that’s possible. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone who acts so happy all the time. As if he doesn’t have any problems. I guess when you’re Knox Maguire, you wouldn’t have any problems.

Your life is perfect.

“I figured girls like you wouldn’t know who the hell I was.”

“What do you mean, girls like me?” I’m offended.

“I’m thinking you don’t go to football games, right?”

Oh please. Like he’s looked for me in the past. He doesn’t even know who I am.

“Sometimes.” I shrug. I’m lying. In all of my years going to this college, I’ve never attended a single football game. “Most of the time I have to work.”

“You should take a Saturday off and come watch me play before you lose your chance. If you want, I could get you free tickets for the best seats in the house at our next home game.” He smirks.

I glance over my shoulder to make sure he’s not saying that to someone else. “Are you offering me tickets to your game?” I ask when my gaze returns to his.

His nod is slow. “Yes.”

“Oh.” This has to be some sort of joke. “Well. Thank you, but I’m not interested.”

His mouth falls open for a brief moment, as if I’ve completely disappointed him. “Are you for real right now?”

“I just don’t have the time. Though I appreciate the offer.” I focus on the computer in front of me and start tapping keys. He doesn’t need to know I’m not actually doing anything. “I really should get back to work.”

Knox watches me for a long, quiet moment. “All right, Jo Jo. I’ll see you around.”

I frown, my gaze finding his yet again. It’s like I can’t stop looking into those beautiful green eyes of his. “How do you know my name?”

“This.” Reaching out, his fingers brush the nametag that’s attached to my lanyard, which is lying to the side of my right breast.

I feel that touch all the way to my flipping soul.

“Um.” I glance down, noting the way his fingers linger for a second too long before he finally drops them from my chest. “That’s my nickname.”

Why did I tell him that?

“What’s your actual name then? Wait, let me guess,” he says before I can answer. He starts walking backward, snapping his fingers before he points at me with both hands. “Joseph.”

The giggle that escapes me sounds foreign. “That’s a guy’s name.”

“Josephine then.” He’s still walking backward, heading for the store entrance, despite his sister still being in the Apple section. Though she’s at the counter and it looks like the guy is ringing her up.

A couple of customers get out of Knox’s way, so he doesn’t run into them, and he doesn’t even realize it.

“No.” I shake my head.

“Jolene? Like the country song?” He starts singing the chorus and oh my God, it’s so bad. The few customers in the store turn to look at who’s making the awful racket, their eyes going wide when they see who it is, but that doesn’t deter him. He doesn’t stop singing until he finishes the chorus completely.

I’m laughing when I shouldn’t be. “That’s not it.”