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She scoops up her stuff and gives me a quick air-kiss. “See you back at Delta Sig. Don’t wait up!”
“Jeremy’s waiting. Go!”
I give her a light shove, and she’s out the door like a shot.
“What has you two so excited?” Jordan appears out of nowhere to purr in my ear. “Don’t tell me you’ve finally come to your senses and decided to call off your foolish game.”
I glance at him over my shoulder. “Were you hiding in a plant? Eavesdropping is tacky, even for you.”
He balances on the corner of my table, blocking my escape, still wearing the same tight black jeans and red-and-white The Clash T-shirt. But between the last time I saw him and now, he’s removed his eyeliner and washed his hair. Shiny dark waves fall over his forehead, begging to be touched.
“I literally just walked in and caught the tail end of your conversation. Not enough to be considered eavesdropping even to the most discriminating linguist.”
“Are you mocking me now?”
“Princess, I was mocking you before, you need to pay closer attention.”
A scream catches in my throat. “You’re a colossal jerk.”
“Mom always said I should aim high.” His lips curve up at the corners.
“Isn’t there a cat stuck in a tree somewhere you can save?”
He snatches the discarded paper from my straw and coils it around his finger. “Nope.”
God, he’d be drop-dead gorgeous if he wasn’t such a tool.
“Why are you here?” My hand twitches with the urge to slap the self-righteous smirk off his lips. “Did you want something?”
His chest rumbles with a low hum. “How about The Smiths in the studio again? And I wouldn’t mind if the food court would bring back the barbecue bacon double burger.”
“You’re dreaming. The Smiths reunion is a fairy tale. Everyone but you knows it’s never gonna happen. And for your information, they did bring back the barbecue bacon double burger. Try again. How about something I can control this time.”
He lets his mask slip again, his steely gaze holding me hostage. “Then what I want is for you to scrap your dangerous scheme before someone gets hurt.”
“Nobody’s gonna get hurt.” Averting my eyes, I brush off his concern. “Nicole has a plan.”
“Nicole has a plan? Do tell.” He hops off the table and takes the chair across from me, stretching his legs in front of him until I can feel the heat from his thighs in my personal space. “What’s this brilliant plan of hers?”
My blood boils as I take in his superior attitude and condescending expression. What’s it to him if I date the entire freaking campus? He’s made it perfectly clear he isn’t interested, and Nicole’s confession doesn’t seem to have made a dent in his opinion of me. So why act as if he cares about the details when we both know he doesn’t?
With zero intention of telling him anything, I open my mouth, and it all comes spilling out anyway. “She’s having a party at the Omega Pi frat house. S-so I can pick through the next round of guys.”
Jordan slides his legs back to his side of the table and leans forward with a frown. “You mean an orgy?”
“No!” I spear him with a glare. “I mean a party. Sort of like a group date. I’ll evaluate and eliminate roughly one-third of the competition.”
He rolls his eyes. “A house full of drunk guys, all competing for a chance to get into your pants, sounds so much safer.”
His proximity makes me nervous, and I grip the table to keep my hands from trembling. “No one will be drinking. Nicole promised.”
“Are you always this naive? You’re talking about a dozen frat boys. You think they’ll follow the rules? That isn’t a party. It’s a disaster waiting to happen.”
“If you’re so worried about my safety, why don’t you come watch over me yourself?” The instant the words cross my lips, I wish I could pull them back.
He barks out a dark laugh. “Like I have time to babysit you.”
Though I expected his response, the words sting.
