Country Kisses (3:AM Kisses Book #8)(22)
“No, that’s okay. I think I’ll hop back to campus. There’s something at the bookstore I’m looking for.”
“Or someone.” He gives a quick wink before slapping my shoulder and taking off.
He’s right. It’s definitely someone.
Cassidy Clayton is like a ghost around here when she’s not in class. Maybe next time she lands in my bed, I’ll beg her to tell me all of her secrets.
Whitney Briggs University is a hotbed of beautiful girls. It’s not a huge shock someone as perfect as Cassidy should be in attendance. A dull laugh rattles through me at the thought of her. She is in everyway perfection, both outside and underneath the sheets. I can’t stop thinking about the girl, and it’s bordering on obsessive. I’m not stalking through campus tonight looking for some book. Owen was right. It’s Cassidy I’m scouring the four corners of the world for.
Crowds of girls travel in every direction, and I make it a point to scour every blonde in an effort to weed her out. I’ll admit, it’s leading to a few awkward glances, some subtle invites, and a few bold girls blowing kisses my way. It’s all in fun. Every single one of these girls is headed off-campus looking for a good time tonight—not that it has to be sexual. Heck, I’m hoping for a good time myself, but, for me, it most certainly has to be sexual—only if it includes Miss Clayton. She volunteered as my bed warmer, and I’m hoping she feels the need for heat as much as I do.
After an hour of aimless wandering, feeling a bit like a self-proclaimed stalker, I head over to the bookstore. In the least I won’t have been a liar. Hell, maybe I’ll go for the gold and buy a freaking book. The brightly lit establishment is covered with plastic hearts as an ode to that over-glorified greeting card manufactured holiday tomorrow brings—Valentine’s Day. I’ve already purchased two dozen long-stemmed roses and have them at the house. If she shows up tonight, I’ll give them to her then. I’m sort of hoping for that scenario because not a single part of me wants to wait another day to see her.
A dark-haired girl heads toward the door just as I’m reaching for the handle, so I swing it open for her and hold it as she plows on by.
“Thank you,” she says, briefly glancing up, and the two of us freeze in tandem.
Shit.
My gut pinches, and instantly, I want to hit rewind, play back the last ten seconds so I can make a clean escape.
“What are you doing here?” It’s the first thing out of my mouth. It came out nice enough, not sure why it wouldn’t, but a darker part of my heart wanted to spit the words with venom.
Her entire body relaxes with a sigh as if somehow the message I sent gave her the all-clear. “Nice to see you, too.” Her country twang comes in clear, and my gut twists because she hasn’t had it that thick in years. A part of me doesn’t want to hear it coming from her. It’s something sacred I only ever want to hear from Cassidy. She shakes out her dark curls, her tiny frame shifts from side to side a moment. “Hey, you want to grab some coffee? It’s a funny story—really.”
Sammy Spears is someone I’ve been trying to avoid for the last three years. She and I were pretty serious for our last year at the Bentley Academy—but finding her in bed with my roommate, Dave, was the knife that severed any bond we once shared. For so long, I held anger, resentment, nursed my wounds without letting them close because I needed to feel the sick hatred toward that dark time in my life, but now, in this moment, with some time separating me from the bitter heartbreak—seeing Sammy in person, the past suddenly feels very much distant and buried. I credit Cassidy with that. I’m no longer obsessed with the fact someone dared step out on me and my overblown ego because I’m very much content where I’ve landed—especially with the person that landed in bed beside me, and I’ve never been more thrilled that it’s not Sammy.
“Coffee?” I do a quick scan of the vicinity. As much as my resentment toward Sammy just floated away like a helium balloon, I’m pretty sure I don’t want to incite Cassidy with caffeine and get her thinking that I’ve found my unicorn to quell those nightly visits.
“It’ll be quick.” She shrugs while her eyes do their best to beg for this to happen. “I have to be somewhere later.”
“I guess one cup won’t hurt.”
Sammy is quick to usher us over to Hallowed Grounds, and my stomach churns as we get our coffee, and she leads us toward the back to the very seats Cassidy and I stationed ourselves at a few weeks back.
“So tell me everything.” I settle across from her with my seat pulled out a good foot from the table, my body turned toward the exit in the event I spot the girl I was really looking for. Not that I would bolt, but I would definitely make it a point to say hello and casually mention there isn’t a unicorn in sight. “How did you manage to land at Briggs?” I’m afraid I know. The rest is simply a formality, but I’ll let her try to claw her way out of this paper bag. I guess overall I’m glad I bumped into her today, and for the love of God not tomorrow. I wouldn’t want her to get caught up on fate and serendipity and somehow contribute our impromptu meeting to a day enwreathed in hearts and roses.
“I’m here because of you.” Sammy leans in with those tired, determined eyes, holding a hand out, but I won’t take it. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so forward. I get it. You’ve moved on—literally. And as much as I hate to admit it, I was starting to lose my mind a little knowing that I might not see you again.” She shakes her head and blinks back tears.