Chapter 10

Dean was proving to be a great friend. Our dinner had been fun and relaxing once all romantic intentions were thrown away. Dean seemed upset at first which hurt but he quickly moved on and focused on being friendly. Since our evening had started as a date, I let Dean kiss me on the cheek when he dropped me off. He had smiled as though he won the lottery. I tried to smile in return but the guilt was too much. Dean was a great guy, a gentleman and still I was pushing him away before he stood a chance. I wanted to give him a chance but I didn’t have the strength to, so instead I chose to run away from him as fast as I could.

I blew it, I was sure. I had gone to bed that night in a solemn mood believing that I ruined any chance at a friendship and maybe a relationship with Dean. I was proven wrong though. Dean showed me once again what a great person he was when he called me the next morning. We spoke of the date the night before and how fun it was. We also spoke about the week that lie ahead and how his garage was doing. It was strange at how happy I felt when he called and even stranger at how familiar our friendship was beginning to feel.

Once Monday came around, I couldn’t stop smiling. I had a friend and it was a huge achievement for me. Dean and I were going to have lunch just to catch up though I was still confused on what there was to catch up on but, I didn’t question it. I was just happy that my calendar was filling up.

I had been so focused on Dean that I had forgotten what our Monday lecture meant. Today was the day we were to find out who our partners were. The class was buzzing with nervous energy as we waited for Mr. Thomlin. I couldn’t decide if it was brilliant or cruel that Mr. Thomlin made us wait till the end of our two hour lecture to see the list.

Kevin was in his original seat. I tried not to let it bother me but it did. I liked him, in which way I wasn’t sure yet. I was attracted to him but any female with eyes would be. He was stunning and tempting all in one. The class spilled out of their seats and quickly stormed towards the list once Mr. Thomlin had given the signal. I thought about waiting like I did the first time but my curiosity got the better of me. I shoved my things in my bag and ran down the steps towards the front of the class.

The queue stretched far and surprisingly formed a straight line. One by one students would read the page and either squeal in delight or groan in frustration. I didn’t need to wait long before it was my turn. I let my eyes scan the page and gasped. Wait... that wasn’t my gasp. I looked behind me and saw Kevin with his shining grey eyes wide open and his mouth tight.

I glared at him and crossed my arms over my chest. “You don’t need to sound quite so disgusted at the idea of working with me. I’m a top A student.”

His eyes left the page and glared at me. “I’m not disgusted.”

I scoffed, “could’ve fooled me!” I stormed away and almost lost my bag when it was suddenly yanked off my arm. I swung around ready to beat whoever it was up when I saw Kevin holding the strap of my bag. “What is your problem?”

He pulled me and my bag with him to the door and then around a corner. I was quickly pushed against a wall and his chest hit mine. I was breathing hard and I was sure my pupils had dilated. We were in a cramped corner with our heated breaths for warmth. “What are you doing?” I asked.

“Stop running away from me.” His voice was hard and turning me on even more. I could feel his chest through my hands that had somehow found rest on the strong planes of his chest.

“I’m running because I’m done with the conversation.” I replied.

“Well I’m not.” I pulled my hands off his chest and held them clenched at my sides.

“I don’t even know what this conversation is about anymore or why we’re fighting to be honest.”

“Me either.” He smirked and I found myself grinning. “Are we okay? I did apologise.”

“Yes, although when a person apologises they usually don’t ignore the other person.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. I’ve just got a lot going on.” He rubbed his neck and I was starting to wonder if it was his nervous habit.

“So you do not secretly hate me?” I asked hopeful.

“I never hated you Tori.” His eyebrows scrunched into a frown.

“Then why were you snapping at me last week in Dean’s garage and why did you sound disturbed at having to work with me?”

“I’m not disturbed at working with you. Far from it in fact.”

“What does that mean?”

“I apologised for the snapping so I don’t know why you’re still upset about that.”  So clearly we weren’t going to discuss what he meant. It was okay, I could dream of my own answer, preferably one that includes his feelings for me. I grinned to myself and quickly tried to hide it when Kevin gave me a perplexed look.

“Do you want to work with me?” He nodded. “Then let’s just move on and concentrate on our assignment.”

“Sounds like a great idea. Do you want to go out for lunch and discuss the design?”

“Yes... oh no wait I can’t. I promised to meet Dean for lunch.” Kevin’s face turned murderous at the mention of his friend’s name.

“Are you dating him?” His voice was venomous and I tensed.

“Is that any of your business?” I snapped.

“It is if it involves my friend.” His eyes were pinched and when my eyes glanced at his chest, I found it rising rapidly. I wanted to touch him again.

“Do you not want me to date Dean?” I spoke calmingly. I didn’t want to upset him further.

“Of course not!”

“Ouch. That hurts Kevin.” I felt the prickle of tears before I knew they were there. I was getting tired of rejection. Kevin’s face turned from frustrated to guilty within seconds.

“No, no, no. Tori that isn’t what I meant.” His hands found my arms and gripped them tightly. He pulled me closer towards him until my hands had nowhere to go but his chest. He used a hand to lift my face in his direction. His fingers grazed my chin softly as he pushed my attention towards him. His eyes were calm and his face an expression of concern. “I meant that he isn’t good enough for you. Not the other way around.” He rested his forehead on mine and I sighed in pleasure at the feel of his skin on mine. “You’re too good for him.” His whisper tickled my nose and I giggled softly.

“Good answer,” I whispered. “And in case you’re wondering, no I’m not dating him.” He sighed in relief and quickly stepped away from me.

“Why are you seeing him for lunch then?”

“Because he’s my friend.”

“I’m your friend.”

I grinned, “I know, and haven’t I had breakfast with you before?” He nodded and snuck a glance around the corner. The hallway was no longer loud but silent showing signs of the next set of classes having already started.

“We should get going. I’ll call you about a time to meet.” Kevin nodded stiffly in my direction and jogged down the hallway, his musky scent trailing after him. I groaned aloud and left the building for the parking lot. I had to meet Dean soon.

I tried to push thoughts of Kevin out of my mind but it was hard. He’s always so hot and cold with me and it was starting to give me whiplash. One minute we’re close and the chemistry is alive and evident and the next, he’s pulling away as though a touch from him would burn him alive.

I was certain his feelings for me were far from platonic but I was starting to suspect that he may be afraid of his feelings. If he was afraid then it meant I had to be the brave one. The only problem was that I was far from brave. It didn’t matter though what my feelings for Kevin were, what mattered was that we completed the work and for that to happen, Kevin had to start treating me right.  I needed to find a way to get Kevin to see me as an equal, a partner who he could trust and work with in order to create the most memorable design.

I needed him to have only one personality around me, not the multiple ones he had been sporting lately. I walked towards the small restaurant/cafe’ I was supposed to meet Dean at. He chose to meet at a restaurant on my campus so not inconvenience me. It was so considerate of him and it made it even harder to resist him.

I walked through the entrance and caught sight of a gorgeous bald head. I smiled as a brilliant thought hit me. I finally figured out how to get Kevin to treat me differently and the solution was walking towards me with a sexy grin.