Secrets Vol. 2(24)

"For your information, I got the job and Anna and I are out celebrating. So go dig a hole or something and leave us alone." She makes a face at him and points, indicating he should leave.

Edward smiles, "Is that so? Well, good for you, Sis. Good for you." He looks over at me and nods, "See you around, Anna."

I nod back, watching him leave. Part of me wonders if I made a mistake, if Edward was the right guy. It seems like a minor thing, after all, a relationship isn't just about sex. Most of the time a relationship is spent doing other stuff, stuff that I enjoyed with him. Internally, I groan. I sound like an eighty-year old.

Emma is leaning back on her hands, people watching. "There are a lot of hot guys here, Anna." Her gaze is locked on a group of young men a few towels down.

"Then go get them, Em. I'm not in the mood."

"Psh," she says, swatting me. "You're never in the mood. It just means you haven't found the right guy yet - one who lights a fire in your panties and makes your heart bounce around in your chest until it feels like you'll keel over and die."

I stare at her blankly. I do feel like that about one guy. That is the problem. I laugh and shake my head, "Do me a favor and just take the guy you're picking out for me, too. I seriously doubt he'll mind." I'm joking, but Emma has a devilish smile on her face.

"We'll see about that." She stands up and brushes the sand off her lean legs. Without another word she strides toward the group of guys playing volleyball. Her sights are set on a man that is clearly my type and not hers. I straighten and watch her in horror as she stops behind him. The guy turns and looks at Emma and then back at me. He nods, listening to her and then smiles at me. I return his smile, but feel foolish. Emma is a dead girl as soon as she comes back.

They talk for a few minutes. The guy is forced out of the game when his friends resume it without him. He follows Emma back toward our spot and says, "You're friend here invited me to join you for a little bit."

"Mmm," I eye Emma and mouth, I'm gonna kill you, when the hot guy turns to look at his friends, but she just swats her hand at me.

"I'm Jesse. Jesse Oden."

"Anna Lamore," I reply feeling silly. Jesse looks like he's in his early twenties. It's clear that Emma is telling me to stick with guys my own age. I hate it when she does stuff like this. I decide to curtail the whole thing, "Listen, Jesse - I don't know what she told you, but - "

He smiles down at me. "She didn't tell me much of anything. Just that you were her friend and I was your type. So I thought I'd come over, say hi, and see if we hit it off. If not," he shrugs, "no harm. Right?"

I'm shooting daggers at Emma, who's standing behind him and nod slowly. Why does everyone need to prove a point with me lately? Am I that thick? Internally, I moan, but he's too nice. I smile at him and nod, "Sure. Why not?"

As it turns out, we have a lot in common and soon I find I'm laughing and talking to him because I want to, and not for any other reason. Emma runs off into the surf after a few minutes and leaves us alone on the towel. Jesse sits down next to me. He is my totally type - dark hair, blue eyes, and completely breathtaking. His smile is so perfect he could be on a toothpaste commercial.

Goosebumps pop up on the back of my neck. For some reason I feel uneasy, but it has nothing to do with Jesse. I shiver, and brush them away. Turning, I look around through the mass of people. It feels like someone is watching me, but I don't see anyone staring. There are people everywhere. It's stupid to get spooked like this, but I can't help it. I ignore the sensation and go back to talking with Jesse. He makes me smile.

"No way," I say, shocked, pulling my feet closer to my bottom, "when did you graduate?" I wrap my arms around my knees as I talk.

"Last year. Oh, I know where it was! I sat in front of you in art history with Peters. I thought you looked familiar." He is convinced he saw me on campus, but I can't place him. That isn't abnormal since the university is huge. So are the classes. However, in this case, I am just obtuse.

"Oh my god! That was you? That was you!" I laugh, shaking my head. "Small world, huh?"

"Apparently so. Good thing for us, right? I mean, what are the odds? Out of all the places to park and then set your towel, what are the odds it'd be by mine?" He flashes me that movie star smile. Jesse is so sweet.

"Well, it must be fate, because I have no luck."

"I think you might have a little," he leans closer to my face and brushes a kiss against my lips. I'm stunned, but I don't move. A thousand thoughts rush through my mind and each one stems from Cole. I feel caught in the middle. Jesse is the kind of guy that I would go for. Emma did well, but I don't want to give up on Cole.

I don't kiss him back.

Jesse hovers for a moment, his warm lips waiting for me. When I don't kiss him, he pulls back. Jesse smiles and runs his hand through his hair, looking at the waves in the distance, he says softly, "Guess it's not the right time for us, is it?" Through lowered lashes I glance up at him and shake my head. "Well, whoever he is, he's lucky. I hope he knows it." He pushes off the towel and stands. "I really liked meeting you. If my luck changes, let me know."

He hands me his number, and I take it.

I watch Jesse walk away and wonder what I'm doing. I just turned down an awesome guy after Cole made it clear he doesn't want to be with me. Staring at the waves, I decide that I have to find out why. There has to be a reason. It makes no sense for Cole to have that little moment of truth scene and then douse it with outright rejection. There has to be an explanation. Part of me shies away and doesn't want to hear it, but I can't leave it alone. I can't leave Cole alone. There's something about him that captivates me, something worth fighting for.