Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Reese
?
?
I knew moving from Minnesota to Florida would be an adjustment, but I assumed the weather would be the biggest thing I’d have to get used to. I was wrong. It’s the people, or more accurately, the number of drunk jerks who come to party for the weekends and believe every woman on the beach, by the pool, or just out and about is seeking their attention. We’re not. Or, at least, I’m not. The guy from earlier wasn’t the first to hit on me without me giving them the slightest inkling that I was interested. The first time I came to the pool, I wore a bikini and stupidly thought that was the reason for the unwanted attention. After today, I realize it’s just because I’m female.
I look at the guy lying next to me out of the corner of my eye and feel the heat rise to my cheeks when my eyes connect with his muscular, tan torso. When he first came out of the building, I noticed him the same way all the other women did. It was difficult not to. He’s gorgeous with his dark hair, chiseled jaw, broad shoulders, and lean, muscular frame. For a moment, I thought I recognized him, but it was only because he looked like he would play the leading hero in some action movie or be on a billboard in Times Square. I never would have expected him to come rescue me from the guy at the bar like some kind of white knight. But if he hadn’t come over to save me, there is a chance I would have let that guy in the pool buy me a drink just so he’d back off. Because me telling him, “no thank you,” the three times he asked hadn’t worked.
Turning my attention back to my book and finding the words on the page not penetrating, I decide to just close it. Placing it on top of my bag, I sit up and adjust my chair so I can lay it flat and then lie down on my stomach. I wish I could say my aunt was wrong and that getting some sun on my days off doesn’t make me feel good, but it does. There is something about the warmth on my skin that I’ve come to appreciate.
“Have you been to the aquarium here?” Opening one eye, I look at the guy next to me and find his chin dipped, and his aviators on me.
I’d thought his one-word answer for why he’s living in Miami was his cue that our conversation was over.
“I work there.”
“You work at the aquarium?”
“I do. I work with the sea lions and dolphins. Have you been?”
“Not since I was a kid.”
“You need to go back. I’m sure a lot has changed in the last thirty years.”
“Thirty?” He grins.
“It’s just a guess.” I can’t help my smile.
“So, you think I look old.”
“Mature.” I lift my feet behind me. “I think you look mature.”
“I’m only thirty-two.”
“Oh, so you are old.” I grin as he laughs.
“How old are you?”
“I turned twenty-five a few weeks ago.”
“You’re a baby.”
“Compared to you, yeah.”
“She’s got jokes,” he mutters with a smile that makes my stomach feel weird. “So, you’re twenty-four and starting the marine veterinary program here. That’s a pretty big deal.”
“Hoping to start. I haven’t been accepted yet,” I remind him.
“What is your grade-point average?”
“Four.”
“Jesus, you’re smart. With that average, you’ll get in.”
“I hope so,” I mumble, ignoring the warmth in my cheeks.
“What is your plan if you don’t get in?” he asks.
I freeze, every muscle locking up. I haven’t thought about that once. I should have. I should have applied to other schools and thought about what I’d do if I don’t get accepted. “I don’t know,” I whisper.
“Hey,” he calls, and my gaze goes to him. “You’ll get in.”
“I should have applied to other schools.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Because this is the best program, and I...” I shake my head. “I don’t know what I was thinking.” I sit up. “Maybe it’s not too late to apply to a few other places.” I dig through my bag for my phone so I can check and see when the cutoff date is for some of the other schools. When I finally find my cell in one of the side pockets, the screen lights up with a few notifications. Some for my email, one for my single social media account, and another a text from Kirk.
Kirk : Reese I’m heading to New York in two weeks to move into my new place then training camp in July. Please message me back when you have time.
I don’t respond. I never do. But that doesn’t mean the part of me that has been his best friend since we were kids isn’t proud of him. Before I left Minnesota in April, it was all over campus that he got drafted by a team in New York. And from his message, it’s obvious he’s getting ready to move and start training for the NFL. Part of me wants so badly to hear his voice and share in his excitement, but there’s still too much anger wrapped around what happened between us for me to take that step.
? After I delete his message, I go to my email and scroll through the list. Not surprisingly, they’re all spam. I delete them and am about to exit and open the browser, but I freeze when an email from Miami pops up.
“No way, they just emailed me,” I whisper to myself, feeling the guy on the lounger next to mine move. His shadow falls over me.
“Who? The college?”
I lift my head, and our sunglass-covered eyes lock. “Yes.”
“Open it.”
My stomach churns. “I can’t.”
“Do you want me to do it?”
With a nod, I hand the guy—who is basically a stranger—my phone and watch him shove his aviators up into his thick, dark hair.
As he stares at whatever is written, my heart pounds. Then, his blue eyes meet mine.
“Well?”
Ducking his head, he starts to read.
“Dear Reese Shepard. Congratulations and welcome…”
“Oh, my God.” I cover my mouth with my hand and shoot up off the lounger. “I’m in?”
“You’re in.” He grins at me, and I have the oddest urge to hug him.
“Oh, my God,” I say again, falling to my bottom and taking my phone when he holds it out to me. “I can’t believe it.” I read the email that talks about how I was selected and saying I will receive my official decision in the mail, along with the information I need to finish enrollment.
“How are you going to celebrate?”
I look at him once more. “I don’t know. Maybe I’ll order pizza and watch a movie.”
“Alone?”
“My aunt is… My aunt is working today, and my mom doesn’t live here.” No way am I telling a stranger that I’m basically living alone.
“Then I’m taking you out.”
“What?” I laugh.
“I’m not going to let you celebrate your accomplishment alone.” He stands. “It’s four. How long will it take you to get ready to go out to dinner?”
“Um.” I glance around, wondering if I’m being punked. “I don’t know.”
“Is an hour good for someplace casual with good food?”
“Are you being serious?”
“Yes.” He smiles, and I shake my head.
“I don’t even know your name.”
“Brodie.” I don’t think I’ve ever met a Brodie before, but the name suits him.
Biting my lip, I debate taking him up on his offer. Normally, I would say no, but I just shared a huge moment with him and can actually hear a little voice in the back of my head telling me I should go. And honestly, I can’t think of a reason not to. It’s dinner out. He didn’t ask me to go back to his place for a drink. Maybe, like me, he doesn’t know anyone here and is looking for people to connect with.
“Okay.”
“Okay?” He raises a brow.
“Yes, dinner sounds good.”
“All right.” I watch him begin to gather his towel and phone from the table on the opposite side of his lounger while I pack my things into my bag and shrug on the simple cotton dress I wore over my swimsuit down to the pool. Surprising me, he waits until I’m done, and then the two of us walk side by side to the door that leads into the building. When we get to the elevator, I press the button for my floor, and he presses his, which I notice is for one of the penthouses at the top. When the doors close, the smell of his cologne or whatever soap he uses fills the small, enclosed space. It’s difficult not to feel awkward being alone with him, especially when he only has on a pair of shorts that hang low on his hips.
When I finally reach my floor, I mentally sigh in relief and hurry to get off the elevator like it’s on fire.
“Reese,” he calls, and I spin around to find him leaning slightly out of the elevator with a look on his face that says he’s trying not to laugh at something. “Since I don’t have your phone number, I’ll meet you in the lobby downstairs in an hour.”
“Oh, yeah, okay. Sounds good.” I hear him chuckle as he disappears back into the elevator. Ignoring the nervous butterflies flying around in my stomach, I rush down the hall to my aunt’s apartment and use the key card to let myself inside.