The Perfect First (Fulton U, #1)(18)

“I said I would.” I slid into the seat across from her. “What looks good?”

“Everything. I’ve already tried three of the menu items, but I’m going to need to take up running or something if I want to try the rest before Thanksgiving and still fit into my seat on the plane. I don’t have much time left.”

There were those words again. I leaned against the table, used my finger to tug down the top edge of the menu, and held her gaze. “Are you sure you’re not dying?”





7





Seph





I hated how my heart rate increased when Reece showed up at the end of my table. Hated the tingles in my fingertips. Hated the giddiness bubbling up and how much I’d looked forward to this meeting. I’d chosen the perfect table with a good view of the door, but I’d gotten so engrossed in the menu that I hadn’t seen him come in. That was one way to keep my mind off him—delicious, greasy, flavorful food.

His smile turned my stomach into a baking soda and vinegar volcanic explosion. Was I smiling too wide? Was what I was wearing okay? I’d tried to go more casual and ditched the suit for a light blue button-down top and navy pants.

“No, I’m not dying, but I’ll only be here for another year and a half, if I’m lucky. Seven months if I’m not, and Lady Luck is not usually on my side when it comes to my parents.”

“Why would you have to leave Fulton early? You’re only eighteen. You’re transferring?”

“Graduating.”

“At eighteen?”

I nodded. “Well, I’ll be nineteen, but yes, unfortunately that’s the case.” That was what happened when you started on your first college course when kids your age were taking Algebra I.

“I should have known you were one of those geniuses.”

My shoulders shot up and I hid my head behind the menu. “I’m not a genius. Einstein was a genius. I’m just really good at learning things quickly.” I’d hated that label ever since I’d understood what it meant and what people expected out of one.

“I’m pretty sure that’s a genius.”

“A genius would’ve known what a bad idea it was to put an ad out to the whole campus to lose her virginity.”

He leaned back and picked up his menu. “Finally seeing the error of your ways?”

“Perhaps, but I did get a possible taker out of it.”

His brow creased. “Graham.”

I dropped the menu. “You know him?” I stared at him intently. Inside information would make this a lot easier.

“We had a few classes together freshman year. He’s fine.”

“I think so too.”

His lips tightened. “So he’s your guy?” Why did his voice sound like that? Should I not pick Graham if Reece turned me down?

“Maybe.” I mashed my lips together like I was ready to devour them. “Unless there’s someone else who might be up for the task. I have a lot of things on my list, but I think this one would be a great way to kick things off.” I put down the menu and rested my hands on top of it.

“Why are you in such a rush?” He leaned in closer, the smell of soap and aftershave wafting over from the other side of the table.

“Were you a virgin at eighteen?”

“What?” His face scrunched up like it was the most ridiculous question that had ever been asked and he made a psh sound. “No.”

I raised my eyebrows.

The wheels started turning and the backtracking began. “Not that it’s a bad thing to still be one. There are tons of people who are still virgins.”

The server came up to the table with his notepad. “Are you two ready to order?”

“Not quite yet, but I have a question. How old are you?” I put my elbows on the table and rested my chin on my hands.

He let out a little laugh. “I’m twenty-two.”

“And when did you lose your virginity?”

Both Reece’s and the server’s eyes went big and round. “You don’t have to answer that.” Reece tried to wave off the question. “Excuse her, she doesn’t get out much.”

“It’s a perfectly normal getting-to-know-you type of question.”

“What the hell do you consider an intimate question?” I opened my mouth but he shook his head and held up his finger. “I don’t want to know.” His head swung around to the waiter, who was staring at me like a stiff breeze would carry him away. “Just give us a second and then we’ll order. Thanks.”

The server nodded slowly and backed away from the table like it was covered in rattlesnakes.

Reece leaned forward. “What is wrong with you? You can’t just go around asking people when they lost their virginity.”

“It’s not something to be ashamed about.” Everyone else seemed to have done it already. I was certainly treated to a non-stop soundtrack of it in my apartment.

“What if he was still a virgin?” he whisper-shouted through his teeth, pointing in the direction the server had retreated in.

I stared at the guy’s glowing red cheeks. “I hadn’t thought about that. Point taken.”

“You must be a barrel of laughs when you go out with your friends.” He dropped his gaze back to the menu, picking it up.