Someone Else’s Girl — Episode 9

Is there something? My mind blanked for two seconds, but I still forced myself to walk over. Who are you waiting for? Can I have your number? He paused, then got even more serious. No thanks.

Then, like he was worried that sounded too cold, he added, I'm really waiting for someone. Your girlfriend? Yeah.

I looked at him and deliberately raised my phone, reading out that familiar nickname. Qualified. He blinked. I looked right at him. It's me, pumpkin.

His face went from confused to frozen to shocked. What? You're not... Not what you were expecting? I lost weight.

He stood there stiffly, like he had forgotten how to breathe. I was about to tease him a little more, but suddenly he fumbled and shoved the flowers into my No, I didn't mean that. I just... His ears were red enough to burn.

Nothing. I meant... You look amazing. I looked down at the bouquet in my arms and nearly staggered from the wait. You trying to kill me with these?

He hurried to steady me, but as soon as his fingers brushed my arm, he pulled Like he was afraid I'd think he was being too forward. Sorry. Sorry. I couldn't help laughing.

Weren't you the one who said you were taking me to eat something good? He snapped his head up, like he'd finally gotten his brain back. Right, right. Come on. I booked a place. He'd booked a table at a quiet steakhouse near the airport.

Even though he looked like the kind of guy people would chase down for his number, He didn't have even a trace of that hot guy attitude. His name was Ryan Callahan, also a freshman at Ashford University this year. He was the starting quarterback and team captain of Ashford's football team.

I stared at him for a while.