You Will Be Mine (Forever and Ever #7)(10)

Chapter Two


Conrad


“Tapped Beatrice yet?” Theo asked while he opened his beer. He leaned back on my couch and watched TV.

I hadn’t stopped thinking about her since I last saw her. “No. And I’m not going to.”

He turned his head toward me so fast he must have gotten whiplash. “What? Are you serious?”

“Yeah.” I didn’t want to tell him what she told me. It was too personal. Besides, I promised I’d keep her secret.

“Are you going to tell me what happened?” He was on the edge of his seat. “And why didn’t you mention it sooner? I’ve seen you every day this week and you never brought it up.”

I shrugged. “I guess I’ve just been thinking about it a lot.”

“So…what happened?”

“She just…she…has some issues. She’s been through a lot. All she wants is to be friends, and honestly, I think that’s all she can handle. So I’ll settle for her friendship.”

His eyes were wide. “So…that’s it? You’re done?”

“We’re not done,” I said firmly. “We were never anything to begin with. So, we’ll be friends from now on. And only friends.”

“Wow…all that work for nothing?”

“I wouldn’t say that. She’s really cool and I don’t mind hanging out with her. It’s not the end of the world. In fact, I’m glad she told me her…personal stuff. It meant a lot to me.”

He took a long drink of his beer. “If you say so.”

I watched the game again and tried not to think about her.

“Back on the prowl, then?”

“I guess so.” I hadn’t thought about it much. I finished my beer then left the bottle on the table.

“Does she even like you?” he asked. “She really just sees you as a friend? Is she gay?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Are you?”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m being serious.”

“I know she has feelings for me…but I think her need for distance and space is stronger.”

“Why don’t you guys just hook up?” he asked. “Everyone wins.”

“She’s not like that,” I said frankly. “She’s very conservative.”

“All the gorgeous ones are…” He shook his head.

We went back to watching the game, but I kept thinking about Beatrice and what she told me. The fact she told me something so traumatic made me realize she valued me as a person in her life and a friend.

“Want to order a pizza?” Theo asked.

“Huh?” His voice shattered my thoughts.

He smirked. “Still hung up on her, huh?”

I grabbed another beer and didn’t say anything.

***

I was watching TV when my phone vibrated.

Hey, how are you?

I stared at Beatrice’s name, feeling my heart rate increase. I hadn’t texted her because I didn’t want to bother her. But I was surprised she reached out to me. Well. How are you?

Hungry.

I smirked, imagining her beautiful face and bright eyes. That makes two of us.

I didn’t see you in the library today.

Because I didn’t go. I didn’t want her to think I was stalking her. If I popped up everywhere she went, it would probably make her uncomfortable. I had to run a few errands.

I see.

Did she text me just to say she noticed I wasn’t in the library? Did she want something from me? This was why I preferred to hang out with men over women. They just blurted what they wanted and there was no confusion. What are you up to?

I just finished watering my garden. What about you?

Sitting on my butt watching TV.

Admirable.

I was glad she was texting me but I preferred to talk in person. I’m going to get a pizza. You want to come? I sent the message and patiently waited for a response.

I’d love to.

Wow, that was easy. Can I pick you up or you just want to meet there?

You can come get me.

She was going to let me see where she lived? We were on a new level of friendship. Send me your address and I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.

***

Her apartment wasn’t the nicest one in the city. Actually, it was the cheapest one that was close to campus. The building looked old and run-down, and there was concrete everywhere, hardly any trees.

After I parked the truck, she emerged from the stairs. She was wearing jeans and a pink t-shirt, her breasts obvious in the hug of the shirt. Her jeans highlighted her toned thighs and prominent ass.

When I realized what I was thinking, I forced myself to stop. I couldn’t look at her like that, not when she only wanted a friendship from me. I got out then came to her passenger door. “Hey.”

“Hi.” She flashed me a bright smile as I opened the door for her. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” After she got in, I headed back to the driver’s side. “I’m so hungry I could eat a hippo.”

“Word.” She linked her music device with my sound system, and her song selection immediately came in through the speakers. “Now we don’t have to share ear buds.”

“Sweet.” I headed to the pizzeria and tried not to stare at her. Her brown tresses framed her face, and her flat stomach led to wide hips. Her waist was so petite I was certain I could span it all the way around with just my hands. “Was the library boring without my presence?”