Avoiding Commitment (Avoiding #1)(72)

"My manners?" he inquired.

"Yeah. Personal space," she reminded him sticking her hand out and pushing him back a step.

"Right. I forgot."

"Oh black coffee. How did you know?" she asked after guzzling a good quantity into her system.

"I paid attention at brunch yesterday."

"Oh God was that only yesterday?"

"Yeah, hey, do you want to go get some lunch?" he couldn't help asking.

Lexi stared at him amazed. Was he asking her out? No way was that happening. Sure they had kissed and he had let her stay at his place, but that probably happened all the time. He was just being kind. And besides that she looked and felt terrible. He had to see that on her. Was he just humoring her?

"Uh...I don't have any clothes. They were in Jack's car."

"He left them," he said evading her first excuse.

"I still feel kind of shitty," she admitted.

"Alright then how about dinner?" he asked prepared for this.

"Oh," she began chewing on her bottom lip and pushing her hair behind her ears. What was she supposed to say? He had been very generous and all she had been was rude to him. She figured she at least owed him that much. "Well I guess we could do that."

"I mean you don't have to go," he said misinterpreting her hesitation.

"No, no, we should go. I appreciate what you did for me last night."

"Hey it's no problem. I'm letting you pay me back by allowing me to take you to dinner," he said smoothly scratching the back of his head thoughtfully as he looked at her.

She smiled for the first time that morning. He had decided that he liked her smile much more than the frown she normally sent his way. He wasn't sure how he elicited such anger from her, but he would work much harder from now on so long as she continued smiling like that.

"Alright. Sounds like a plan."

"Like a date," he corrected sending her his most charming smile he could muster.

* * *

K.A. Linde

A Simple Kiss

Author's Note: Just FYI as you read this chapter if an entire statement is in italics that means it is a text message. Enjoy!

* * *

Is it still me that makes you sweat?

Am I who you think about in bed?

When the lights are dim and your hands are shaking as you're sliding off your dress?

Then think of what you did

And how I hope to God he was worth it.

When the lights are dim and your heart is racing as your fingers touch his skin.

-Panic at the Disco "Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off"

* * *

Chapter 12: Late November Two and a Half Years Earlier

"You busy?"

Lexi read the text message she received from Jack and smiled. She relaxed back against the comfort of Clark's passenger seat. They were on their way back to his place after enjoying the brisk afternoon atmosphere at the quaint downtown deli just before finals.

"Not sure. I'm w/ Clark. What's up?"

"Who's that?" Clark asked his eyebrows furrowing as he watched her fingers slide against her beat up phone.

"Oh," she said her head snapping up as she pressed the send button, "Jack's just seeing what we're doing tonight."

"I want to see your sexy little body."

Lexi grin widened at the message. "You miss me?"

"What did you tell him?" Clark questioned her taking the turn a little faster than anticipated.

"That it was up to you," she trilled merrily.

"It's been five f**king long days!"

"Well, in that case, maybe I can get away."

"Did you want to do something?" Clark asked attempting to read over her shoulder.

"Doesn't matter to me. We can if you want," she said her head still buried in her phone. "Did you want to?"

"Do that. I can't wait another minute without you."

"I mean I was planning on going home," he said checking her reaction.

She snapped her phone shut and turned to face him in her seat. "You want to leave?" she gasped. "I thought we were going to do something together this weekend. You were gone all last weekend with MBA stuff. Don't go." Clark had been accepted into their school's prestigious Business graduate program at the end of last year. It had been extremely beneficial that he had received the offer since that meant that he wasn't leaving for Atlanta to find a job. Instead, he would be able to stay in town for her senior year.

"I'll try. No promises."

"Lex, I'll make it worth it."

"I haven't seen my parents in a long time though. You know that."

"I know, but Thanksgiving isn't even until Thursday. Do you have to leave so early?" she asked. They had originally planned on going to their parents separately on Wednesday and staying through until the next weekend. That would give them both enough time together and apart.

"You could come with me," he offered.

Lexi crinkled her nose. Lexi loved Clark's parents. They were caring and loving and always wanted to take them out, but she had thought they were going to spend some much needed alone time together. Guess he had a different agenda. "You know I have that big paper due."