Brandee places an order of chicken satay on our table with a warm smile. "Are you two students at Penn?"
"We are." Mike beams at her. "Are you an alumna?"
"Yes, I am." Brandee nods. "Met my husband there." She smiles at the two of us, like we remind her of her and her spouse. "We'd love for our daughter to attend Penn after high school, but she's determined to attend Penn State. Three hours away!" She shrugs and sighs, like she can't bear the thought of her baby flying so far away from the coop.
"Which building did you live in?" Mike asks her, popping a piece of chicken into his mouth.
"I lived in Frider Hall." She starts to laugh. "We had this security guard there named Mr Holguin, but he insisted we call him Fireball."
"Fireball!" Mike exclaims. "That guy is still there!"
I sneak another look over to Luke's table while Mike is laughing over the antics of the oldest, most beloved school employee on campus. Their food has arrived. Luke's date is mid-sip on a glass of wine and Luke is placing a forkful of noodles into his mouth. The fingers of his left hand are resting on the wooden table top, inches from a cell phone. His index finger is tapping the wood in a slow steady rhythm.
I look up to his face and find his eyes on mine once again. My heart slows then speeds up. Why does he keep staring at me? I steal a look at Mike—he's still distracted with the waitress. I'm surprised Luke's date hasn't noticed his lack of eye contact, since his eyes seem to be primarily on me.
No sooner do I have that thought than the redhead is half turning in her seat to look me over. She gives me the universal female once-over, as much as she can from her seat. She looks more curious than hostile as she takes me in.
She's stunning. Her makeup is flawless, pale skin, green eyes radiating intelligence and knowledge. Carnal knowledge. These two know each other on a bodily fluids level. I'd love to fool myself into thinking she's Luke's sister, but this woman is definitely not related to Luke. Not siblings. Not half-siblings. Not even step-siblings.
The woman turns back to Luke and says something. He looks at me a moment longer before replying to whatever she said.
"I'll have your entrees out in a few minutes," Brandee says and moves on to her next table. I grin at Mike and move a chicken satay to the plate in front of me.
"I can't believe old man Fireball has been pulling the same pranks for twenty years," Mike says.
"Twenty? I think he's been at Penn for at least sixty years." I take a bite.
"Yeah," Mike laughs. "I'd like to think he graduated in 1960 and just never left."
I laugh. "I hope that's true. Though you'd think the residents of Frider would warn the new kids each fall."
"Nah," Mike scoffs. "It's like a rite of passage. Besides, the old guy loves to mess with the new kids. He's earned the privilege." Mike grins as my cell phone beeps.
"Oh," I say. "I should check that in case it's my grandparents." I slide the phone from my purse. "The ladder accident this week freaked me out. Seeing my grandfather in a hospital bed was awful. I hate knowing they're getting older." I give Mike a little smile. "You're lucky your parents are a long way off from old age."
"Yeah, I am," he agrees.
I unlock my phone and freeze.
"Grandparents okay?" Mike asks, concerned.
"Yeah," I reply. "Fine." Which is not technically a lie. I assume they're fine because the text is not from them. It's from Luke.
Chapter 11
Are you going home with him?
I'm so floored, I'm not even sure how to respond.
Maybe I went home with him last night. Maybe we're just refueling in the midst of a twenty-four-hour fuck fest, Dr. Miller.
Be careful, Miss Tisdale.
For crying out loud! Why is he texting me? He's on a date! I'm on a date! We are not on the same date! I hit the lock button on my phone and place it face down on the table.
At the next table, Luke's phone rings. He rises from the table and I hear him tell the caller, "This is Dr. Miller," as he walks toward the front of the restaurant. The redhead doesn't seem fazed in the least.
"I'm going to run to the bathroom before the food gets here, babe." Mike walks back towards the hostess stand and disappears from view a moment before Brandee is back with a fresh glass of wine and our meals.
"Oh, thank you," I frown at the wine. "I didn't order another glass though."
"Your boyfriend did." Brandee smiles warmly at me. She's obviously smitten with Mike, but then, most women are.
I look at the wine and shrug. Oh, well, what the hell. I take a gulp and stare at my food. It would be rude to start without him.
I use the time to check out the redhead again. Their table has been cleared and she's patiently scrolling through her phone waiting for Luke to return.
I take another sip. Mike switched to soda when we sat down. He's so considerate, knowing he's driving and stopping at one drink. He comes across like a bit of a player on campus, but he's a good guy.
Luke's back. He doesn't sit down, just stops at the table, leaning down to say something to his date before straightening and pulling cash from his wallet to toss on the table.
He pulls her chair back and places a hand on her back, guiding her to the front, not even glancing at me as they walk out. What the ever-loving fuck?
He stares at me all night, texts me while on a date with another woman, then walks out of here without a backward glance? Sophie, get a grip. You're about to walk out of here with Mike, who cares what Dr. Miller does or doesn’t do? What is his deal though? I don't know what to make of him, other than he's a hot doctor who sends a lot of mixed messages.
I take another gulp of wine and tuck my hair behind my ear. I cross and uncross my legs. I'm so aware of my bare pussy. I feel as though half the blood in my body is pulsing right there. I'm achy. I clench, testing the muscles. My whole body feels warm and relaxed. Let's get this show on the road, Mike. I shift in my seat again, enjoying the pressure between my thighs as I tighten my crossed legs.
I feel someone move into my personal space and I turn my head, expecting to see Mike leaning in to sneak a kiss. The smile falls off my face as I take in Luke leaning over me.
"Your date had to leave. Get up. I'm driving you home."