It hits me all at once. “I’m leaving for London in three days.”
He frowns. “Then move in with me when you get back. And please, please be careful on your trip.”
“I promise. I got a travel buddy, a girl named Yvette, who’s also an education major. I don’t want you to worry while I’m gone.”
“I’ll worry no matter what, but that’ll help. Would it be too much to ask you to text me each night? Just to let me know you got back to your hostel okay?” He has a hard time saying the word ‘hostel.’
“I can definitely text you. I’m getting a new phone tomorrow. And my aunt has all of these miles on her credit card and said I could use them for a hotel, so you’ll be happy to know I won’t be staying in hostels.”
“Oh, thank God.”
I laugh, and he gives me another one of those killer smiles. I chew the inside of my cheek. “I have a court date for my ticket on the twenty-ninth. My parents have been really great. They said they’d loan me the funds to pay for it, and my grandmother gave me money for my trip. So, as it turns out, I’m not going to live on ramen when I’m in London.”
“Jinxy wants to help you with your traffic ticket.”
“That… doesn’t sound helpful. And I’m not his biggest fan right now.”
“Something I’m sure he regrets. When Coach found out about the stupid shit he said to you, he made him clean the toilets in the field house for two weeks. But even before that, I think Jinxy felt bad, and he called me this morning to tell me about his plan to make it up to you. I’ll explain more over ice cream.” Nick runs his thumb over my cheek. “Will you come to my bowl game? It’s in Houston on the thirty-first.”
Oh my God! His bowl game! I can barely contain myself. “Are you inviting me?”
He grazes his lips across mine. “If you’ll say yes.”
“Yes!”
His soft kisses grow heated, and within minutes, I’m writhing in his lap. He groans and drops his head to my shoulder. “Buttercup. We have to stop.”
I glance around, and the windows are fogged. I suppose having sex in a car is not ideal. “Want to come home with me? I can probably talk my parents into going out to dinner without us, and I can give you a tour of my bedroom.”
He chuckles. “As enticing as that sounds, I don’t want to have sex until after my bowl game.”
“What?”
His eyes go serious. “I don’t want you to worry that I have ulterior motives. That I’m with you for any other reason than because I love you and want to be with you.”
I think on that for a moment. Then smile. “That’s really thoughtful. Okay.” I grab his handsome face and kiss him. “I guess it’s a good thing I’m leaving for twelve days because I’m not sure I could keep my hands off you otherwise.”
He lifts his hips, which nudges his huge erection against my thigh. “Trust me. I know the feeling.”
We eventually get out and walk hand in hand to the ice cream shop. Once we get our order, we sit at a small table in the corner. I’m so happy to see him, I keep smiling.
After I devour my scoop, he pulls me into his lap again. “Would you like to go to a bookstore next? There’s something I want to get you.”
“A bookstore?” I get downright giddy. “Really? I love bookstores.”
He winks at me. “I know.”
* * *
On our way home, I hold the sack of books Nick got me to my chest. “Thank you. I love everything you got me.”
“My pleasure, buttercup.” When he pulls in front of my house, he leaves his SUV running.
I didn’t realize how late it is. The sun is setting.
Then it hits me. I’m going away and won’t see Nick for over two weeks.
But before I have a chance to get sad, he clears his throat. “This might sound stupid, but I’ve been wanting to do this for a while.” He fiddles with his radio until a slow country song comes on, which he turns way up for some reason. Then he comes around to my side, opens the door, and holds out his hand. “Wanna dance?”
