by E. L. Todd
“Yeah…”
“Son, you sure know how to pick ‘em. I’ll call you back.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
He hung up.
I watched TV on the couch and tried to find something to occupy my time while I waited for my dad to call me back. I knew he might not get a hold of the dean until tomorrow. My dad was influential, but he wasn’t the president of the United States.
An hour later, my phone rang.
“Yo, you get it?”
My dad sighed. “I’m not one of your homies so don’t talk to me like I am.”
“Stop being an old fart and answer me.”
“An old fart?” he asked. “More women hit on me than you. What’s that say about you?”
“Nothing,” I said. “It just says they’re gold diggers. And I’m telling Mom, by the way.”
“You think she doesn’t know?” he asked with a laugh. “Your mom has sucker-punched a few girls in her day.”
“Mom? Really?”
“Yeah, she’s got an arm on her.”
“Maybe she should use it on you.”
“Who said she doesn’t?” The implication was in his voice.
“Anyway…what did you find out?”
“Ms. Satini has a full set of classes and extremely high grades.”
“Shocking,” I said sarcastically.
“And she works in the library.”
“She does?” I asked excitedly. “I’ve never seen her.”
“She works on the second floor of the east wing.”
I never went over there. I guess that made sense. The library was eight times the size of an average apartment complex.
My dad gave me her schedule in a bored voice. “You have everything you need. Good luck.”
“I don’t need luck,” I scoffed. “I’ll get her.”
“If you were going to get her, you would have gotten her the moment you saw her.”
“She’s more complicated than that,” I said.
“You mean she’s not a slut?” he asked with a laugh. “Like I said, you aren’t going to get her.”
“Thanks for the support.”
“And I’m sure she’s a nice girl so I hope you don’t.”
“Hey, you were a dick in your day. Why can’t I enjoy my time?”
My dad sighed. “I guess I have to let it run its course…”
“Yep. Thanks, Dad.”
“Sure. Just don’t piss her off too much. She has a powerful family.”
“Dad, you’re putting me to sleep. I’ll talk to you later.”
He laughed. “Bye.”
“Bye.” I hung up then looked over her schedule. Her course load wasn’t easy. She was taking some serious political sciences courses, along with business law and ethics. How had her brain not exploded?
I leaned back in my seat and tried to think of a plan. I had to execute it just right if I wanted to get her attention.
***
I headed to the library one evening when I knew she would be working. Whenever I went there, it wasn’t to study. I was usually looking for Roland or someone else from the gang. So how did I blend in?
I casually walked down the aisle of bookshelves until I reached the end. I took out a book and pretended to be reading it while I scanned the room. The desk was in the center, full of computers and carts that held returned books. Two girls were standing there, and when one turned around, I recognized Beatrice.
She wore a red cardigan that hugged her breasts and tiny waist. A gold bracelet was on her wrist, and her long brown hair was over one shoulder. It was shiny and soft. Light make up was on her face. Her lips were red and her eyes stood out.
Damn, she was a knockout.
Her dark jeans were tight on her, practically spandex. They hugged her full hips and led to thin, long legs. When she stood, her spine was perfectly straight and her shoulders were back. It was like she’d been to modeling school. She held herself like the queen of a foreign country.
The book in my hands was forgotten as I stared at her for several minutes. I was the definition of a creeper, standing near a bookshelf while I discreetly gawked at her.
I wore dark jeans and a gray t-shirt. The shirt showed the lines of my chest and made my shoulders look broad and muscular. And the color brought out my eyes. Whenever I met a new girl, she looked at me and melted into a puddle. I wanted Beatrice to react the same way. Last time I saw her, I witnessed the attraction smolder in her eyes. She was clearly impressed, but not enough to give me a chance. This chick wanted more than just a pretty face.
I needed to talk to her. But how would I do that? I considered checking out a book. I’d never done that before. I walked through the aisles and tried to find the smartest sounding book there. I located a book about ancient Barcelona and another about evolution of Galapagos finches. She would know I was well rounded and sophisticated.
At least she would think I was.
I held my books then stood in line. Two girls were working at the desk, so I had a fifty percent chance of getting Beatrice. If I didn’t get her, I’d have to come back another day and check out something else.
The line moved forward and I kept staring at Beatrice, hoping fate would intervene and I’d be lucky enough to reach her desk instead of the other girl’s. When I was the next person in line, I desperately wished the other girl would take her sweet ass time and Beatrice would hurry the hell up. Beatrice hadn’t looked up once so she didn’t know I was there.
Come on, Beatrice. Hurry up.
Both of the people left the registers at the same time.
The girl waved at me. “I can help you, sir.”
I pretended I didn’t hear her and darted to Beatrice’s station. She was staring at her computer and typing something, ignorant of my appearance.
“I’ll be with you in a second.” She still didn’t look at me.
“That’s fine. I’m patient.” I stared at her now that I was closer to her. There wasn’t a single flaw on her beautiful face. She was almost too good to be true.
She finally turned her attention to me. “Hi…” She took in my face, staring at my blue eyes for several heartbeats. “Uh, hi.”
I smiled inside, loving the affect I was having on her. I made her nervous and excited at the same time. “Hi.” I set my books down and put my hands in my pockets, keeping my cool.
She seemed to realize she had a job to do because she snatched the first book. “Did you find everything you need?”
“I did. Thank you.”
She scanned the book then typed in the computer. “Barcelona? Is this for your history class?”
“No. Just personal.”
She nodded her head then took the next book and scanned it. “Anything else today?”
“No, that’ll be it.” I wanted to ask her a million questions but I was trying to seem indifferent. “You like working in the library?”
She typed on the computer and didn’t meet my gaze. “I like it. Flexible with school.”
I was surprised she worked at all. I assumed her father would pay for everything she needed, like my father did for Trinity and I. “Get to check out extra books?” I asked playfully.
She chuckled. “No, we don’t get the hookup here.”
“Darn.”
She finished checking out my books then passed them to me. “Enjoy your reading.”
“I will.” I gave her one final look, trying to read her face, and then grabbed my books and walked away. I felt her gaze drill into my back. I didn’t have to check to know I was right.
I moved to a table visible from her desk then sat down. I pulled my laptop out and put my headphones in. Then I pretended I was studying, wanting her to sneak glances at me while she worked. In reality, I was just checking email and surfing the web. I knew the library closed in an hour so she would have to leave and walk past me. Hopefully, she would say something to me.
I quickly realized how exhausting this girl was.
I passed the ho
ur trying to stay entertained. I wished I was at home playing video games and drinking beer. I opened my evolution book but didn’t read a single word.
Finally, the lights started to dim.
“We’re closing.”
I pulled out my headphones and turned to the voice.
Beatrice had her purse over her shoulder, looking like a vision.
“Oh. Lost track of time.” I closed the books and laptop.
She eyed the textbook. “Evolution of finches?”
“Yeah, interesting read.”
“For your biology class?”
“No. Personal.”
She cocked an eyebrow. “So you don’t study for your classes but read about random disciplines?”
“I do both.” I packed my backpack then stood up.
She nodded her head slowly. “Well, I have to lock the doors.”
“Okay. I’m heading out.”
She and I walked out then crossed the threshold. She turned off the lights then locked the door.
“Long night?” I asked.
“Yeah, I have a paper to finish. It’ll be an all-nighter.”
“Can I get you some coffee?” I blurted.
“No.” She shouldered her purse. “I have a coffee pot at home. It’s cheaper than buying coffee.”
Like she had to worry about splurging at Starbucks. “Do you live on campus?”
“No, I have an apartment down the road.”
I walked with her through the hallway. “Can I walk you to your car?”
She snuck a glance at me. “It’s okay.”
“I don’t mind. It’s not smart to walk to your car alone.” Besides, I needed more time to talk to her.
“I don’t want you to go out of your way…”
“I’m not. My car is in the lot too.”
“Okay.” She held one strap of her purse while she walked. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
Silence stretched between us. I tried to think of something to say but couldn’t think of anything intelligent. She was quiet, her thoughts a mystery.
“How was work?” I asked.
“It was okay. My shift was short. How was your day?”
“It was alright.” I put my hands in my pockets while I walked. “Have you done any more speed dating?”
“No. I won’t do that again.” She rolled her eyes.
I chuckled. “Me neither.”
She glanced at me then kept walking. “I’ve never seen you in the library before.”
“I’m there all the time. I’m usually on the first floor.”
“Why were you on the second today?”
“Theo was talking too much. I needed to go somewhere quiet.”
She chuckled. “I know how that is. Sometimes Deana won’t shut up when I’m trying to study.”
“Deana?” I asked.
“My friend—the blonde one.”
“Oh.” I looked straight ahead, trying my best not to stare at her.
“Honestly, you don’t strike me as the studious type.”
She was dead on about that. “I guess you were wrong.”
“I guess so.” She dug her keys out of her purse as we approached her car.
When we stopped in front of a beat up Volvo, I raised an eyebrow, surprised she drove something so old and unreliable.
“This is me,” she announced.
I stopped and looked at her. “It was nice seeing you, Beatrice.”
“You too, Conrad.” She stared at me like she expected me to say something.
Judging her vibe, it still wasn’t the time to ask her out. She was difficult to figure out, incredibly complicated. But I knew she didn’t want my attention or interest. She was clearly attracted to me but that wasn’t enough. “Good night.” I turned around and walked off without looking back.
When I was in my car, I sighed in annoyance. Why did I have to be so attracted to the one girl that was practically untouchable? I’d give anything to know what she was thinking, the secrets to her heart.
***
“I want you to ask her on a date.”
Theo stared at me with an incredulous expression. “The blonde girl? The one who doesn’t know how to shut up? That one?”
“Yes.” I sat across from him at the sports bar, my eyes silently begging him.
“And what would that accomplish?”
“Ask her to do a casual group date, just hanging out. And tell her to bring a friend. I know she’ll drag Beatrice.”
Theo scratched the back of his neck and sighed. “Don’t do this to me, dude. She’s so annoying.”
“Just put up with it. Take one for the team.”
“We aren’t a team,” he snapped. “I’m just doing this so you can get your girl.”
“I’d do it for you.”
“No, you wouldn’t.”
He was right. I probably wouldn’t.
“I’ll pay you.”
He rolled his eyes. “Don’t be stupid.”
“Just go out with her once. Sleep with her later so you at least get something out of it.”
“She’ll probably talk the whole time,” he snapped.
“Whatever. Just get off then leave.”
He rubbed his temple in an irritated way. “What’s with this girl? I know she’s hot and all but no chick is worth this much effort.”
Something was off with him. “Is everything alright with you?”
He shrugged. “Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”
“You seem…bitchy.”
Theo laughed. “There’s this new trainer at my studio and…they’re just a pain.”
“Well, get over it,” I blurted. “Now ask this girl out.”
He gave me a look of loathing. “You owe me big.”
“Whatever you want.”
“I want season tickets to the Red Sox.”
My eyebrows shot up. “I don’t have any. You know that.”
“But you can get them.”
“Dude, I asked you to go out with some chick, not give me your kidney. I’ll pay for your dinner. That’s all you’re getting.”
“You still owe me.”
“Well, when a reasonable request comes up, we’ll talk about it.”
He grabbed his beer and downed it. “I’m going to be drunk on this date, just so you know.”
“Whatever gets you through the night.”
“And you better score with this girl because I’m not going out with Blondie twice.”
Not gonna happen. I’d be happy if I just got her number.
***
I arrived at the restaurant and spotted Theo talking to Deana. They were sitting at a table in the center of the room. Theo’s eyes were hollow like he was trying not to fall asleep. The vein in his forehead was throbbing in annoyance. When he spotted me, relief spread across his face.
“Conrad, over here.” He waved me over.
I went to the table then introduced myself to Deana.
Her eyes conveyed her attraction to me. “Wow, that is lucky.” Then she turned back to Theo and ran her fingers over his hand. “But I’m luckier.”
Theo smiled but it was forced and borderline painful.
I took a seat next to Theo. “Tell me about my date.”
Deana flipped her blonde hair over one shoulder. “She’s pretty typical; beautiful, smart, funny…”
“That’s not typical,” I blurted. “At least from what I’ve seen.”
She batted her eyelashes at me. “Maybe you should look around more…”
I ignored her invitation. “What can you tell me about Beatrice?”
“Beatrice?” Her eyebrows shot up. “I don’t think I said her name…”
Oh shit. “You just did a second ago.” I said it with a straight face and hoped she would believe me.
“Oh.” She thought for a moment then let it go. “Anyway, she’s a political science major and she wants to be a lawyer.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m not sure why since she has a great family business to get in
to. But that girl is the most headstrong person I’ve ever met.”
“She isn’t talking to a guy, right?”
She laughed. “Beatrice? No, definitely not.”
What did that mean? “She’s been burned before or something?”
“She’s just…picky.” She shrugged. “Honestly, you’re wasting your time. I’ve seen perfect men throw themselves at her and she doesn’t blink an eye over it. If I didn’t drag her out, she’d stay at home and try to disappear.”
Why was she like that? “Any reason why?”
She shrugged but didn’t say anything.
“How did you get her to come out tonight?”
“You know…” She turned toward me. “Maybe you should save your questions until your date actually arrives.”
Theo was right. Her attitude was really annoying. “Could you answer my question, please?”
“Since you said please.” She flipped her hair again. “I told her we were just hanging out with friends. When she realizes it’s a double date, she’ll be pissed at me for a week. But she’ll forgive me like always.” She laughed at her own comment. Even her laugh was annoying.
I adjusted my blazer and sat back in my seat, my eyes on the door. I waited for Beatrice to walk through, wanting to move in for the kill. Perhaps an evening with her would make her open up to me.
Theo and Deana started talking again, keeping their voices low. Just listening to Deana’s voice made my teeth clench in annoyance. If she wasn’t good in the sack, then she would literally be useless.
Finally, a thin brunette walked inside. Her hair was curled and it framed her face perfectly. She wore dark jeans with brown boots, and a white blouse was tight on her body. Her fair skin was flawless. I wondered how she tasted. It was all I could think about.
Deana looked over her shoulder and spotted Beatrice. “Over here, girl.” She waved her over.
Beatrice headed to our table, but when she spotted me, she stopped in mid-step. Her eyes locked to mine and a quiet explosion took place deep within. She breathed hard but then regained her composure immediately, acting like my presence made no difference to her.
She reached her chair then looked down at her friend, a scowl on her face. “So much for just hanging out, huh?”
“We are hanging out,” Deana pressed. “With two gorgeous men. Seriously, sometimes I wonder if you’re gay.”
Theo chuckled quietly.
I didn’t react at all, wanting Beatrice to think I was on her side.
