His smile is so bright, so heart-stopping that it makes me wish I could reconsider my stance on dating just so I could be on the receiving end of it more often. But I can’t. Nothing—not even a sexy grin, or a chiseled set of abs, or a million sweet gestures—could make me rethink my no-dating policy. I’m protecting myself these days. If I don’t, no one will. Except Viv, of course, but she runs the risk of getting arrested in the process, so it’s probably best if I just guard my own heart.
His eyes sweep across my face in careful perusal. “Are you feeling better now?”
“Much. The pretzels helped. I’ve had a busy day, and I haven’t eaten. I’m good now, honest. I should get to my next class, but thanks, seriously. Pretty sure I’d have passed out or…worse if you hadn’t taken care of me.”
“Happy to do it,” he says, flashing another smile my way. “Can I give you my number at least? In case you start feeling woozy again.”
“Yeah, sure,” I agree, because even though I’ve sworn off guys, I haven’t sworn off friends. And even though I’m feeling better now, I don’t relish the idea of wandering around campus looking for the med center while trying not to puke.
Ew. I shake the gross thought off as I hand JT my phone. I text him back and hear his phone ping. He types my name in, then slips the phone back into his pocket as I gather my things.
“Which direction?” he asks, standing.
“I’m heading to Fisher Hall for Calc III. But it’s not far. I don’t need an escort. Besides, you haven’t even gotten your lunch yet.”
“It’s cool. I’ve got time to swing back here after I walk with you over to Fisher. And I know you’ll be fine on yourown, but humor me, okay? I have visions of you fainting and cracking your?—”
“You can walk with me,” I interrupt, “as long as there are no mentions of bodily fluids.”
He lifts his hands in the universal gesture of surrender. “Deal.”
There’s no denying it: JT’s a good guy. We only see each other twice a week at lunch, and I doubt we’ll be lifelong besties or anything. But as we walk across campus, and I listen to him whine about getting a B on his stats test, I realize that I’m lucky to call him my friend. And then I remind myself that’s all he’ll ever be.
“You said no?!” Viv screeches, her voice loud enough to drown out the blender that’s whirring on the counter.
“You know my No Dicks policy, Viv. Of course, I said no.” I shake my head as I reach into her cabinet for two tall glasses. I’m not queasy like I was yesterday, but I just feel sluggish and tired. Viv is convinced I’m lacking in protein and iron, and considering my diet mostly consists of half-eaten salads, frothy coffee drinks, and every combination of chocolate and peanut butter I can find, I think she’s probably right.
“I thought you suspended your No Dicks policy when you sat on his dick,” she says plainly. Her roommate, Lynley, visibly cringes. She’s a sophomore and a member of the cheer squad, but these two couldn’t be more different. I’m surprised they’ve lasted a month together in this apartment.
“You are so crude,” Lynley complains.
Viv shrugs unapologetically. “I like to think of it as honest,” she says, pouring the thick, protein-infused mixture into the glasses I’ve set on the counter. “Last call for kale-and-berry smoothies!”
“Pass,” Lynley sneers, gathering her bag and retreating to her room.
We curl up on the couch, and I take a sip, hoping this concoction doesn’t taste like its ingredients. “Wow. This is actually…not awful.”
“Thanks,” Viv deadpans, rolling her eyes.
“Seriously, thank you. This is yummy, and I could definitely use the vitamin boost. I nearly fell asleep in class this afternoon.”
“In your defense, math classes induce sleep for lots of people.”
Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes. “Haha. I actually stepped out for a second to refill my water and force myself to stay awake. We were going over this fraud case study and it was fascinating. I didn’t want to miss any of it.”
“You are something, Maggie Baylor. You don’t want to miss a second of the tax fraud tale, but you begged off on another night with a hot guy. If you were anyone else, I’d take your temperature. But for you, it’s pretty on-brand.”
“I’ve never been boy-obsessed, and the one time I let my guard down, it ended in the very worst betrayal. You know this. So, yes, I turned him down, but to be fair, he wasn’t offering a replay of our first night together. I think he just wanted a date. Something casual, from the sound of it.”
Viv sets her empty glass down on the coffee table and pulls a fuzzy pink blanket up to her chin. “I’ll be your interpreter, okay? He wanted a date that was followed by a repeat of your bathtub escapades. Although I’d say it’s more than likely that he’d opt for a bed or a couch this go round. Either way, the boy wants you. That much is clear.”
“He’ll get over it,” I say with confidence. “While we were on the quad, half a dozen girls blatantly undressed him with their eyes. The man has no shortage of admirers.”
“Does that six include you? Or are you number seven?”
Instead of answering, I take a long swallow of my smoothie.
“Look, I know how much they hurt you. And I totally get why you’re reluctant to jump back into a relationship. But does it have to be all or nothing? You said you agreed to be friends, right? Why not add some benefits?”
