The Hazards of Skinny Dipping (Hazards #1)(26)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“Then lunch. It’s about time I take you out.”

“I can do lunch. I have a break between classes at noon.”

“Are you on the main quad?”

“Yeah.”

“Same. I’ll meet you outside Sanders Hall at twelve.”

“Great, I should get back to work.” I glanced over my shoulder. Reed was staring.

Dylan leaned over to whisper in my ear. “And don’t forget you’re all mine after work tomorrow night.”

“All right. Have a good night.” As I turned, he grabbed my ass.

When I turned back, he held his hands up in defense. “Sorry, couldn’t resist.”

“Sure.” I rolled my eyes and went back to the register.

Reed looked pissed, but I could tell he was trying hard. “I’m going to keep my mouth shut.”

“Good.”

Twenty minutes later, Dylan and his friends left. He waved on his way out. I waved back. I let out a sigh of relief when the door closed behind them. The rest of the night went by in a blur, and before I knew it, I was getting into Reed’s Toyota Tacoma so he could drop me off.

“Are you still annoyed at me?” He put his key in the ignition but didn’t start it.

“No.”

“Really?” He took his key out.

“I know you didn’t mean it. Dylan can be a jerk.”

He turned in his seat to look at me. “Dylan’s more than a jerk. He’s dangerous.”

“Dangerous?”

“Yeah. First, it’s telling you what to do, then it will be cutting you off from your friends. This is just the beginning.”

“Reed, you’re really reading too much into things.”

“I’m not.” He angrily buckled his seatbelt.

“How would you know? And what do you care? You don’t even know me.”

“I do know. Trust me. And why do I care? I don’t want to see a nice girl get hurt.”

“What if I’m not a nice girl? Maybe I don’t mind it.” I crossed my legs.

“Listen to yourself. That’s bullshit. You deserve better.”

“No, you listen. I’ve wanted Dylan to notice me for years. He finally has. I’m not screwing it up.”

“Why him? What’s so special about him? You can get other guys.”

“I don’t have to explain myself to you.”

“It’s because he’s rich, huh? You’re willing to let him buy you.” He started the car.

“Buy me? You make it sound like I’m a prostitute. He’s not buying anything. He hasn’t spent a dime on me.”

“And that’s okay? Don’t you think you at least deserve a guy who takes you out?” He smacked his hand against the steering wheel.

“He’s taking me to lunch tomorrow.”

“And that makes it all better. Right.”

I moved to open my door.

“Where are you going, Juliet?”

“Home.”

“Let me drive you. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just think you deserve better.”

“That’s not for you to decide.”

“Fair enough. I’ll keep my mouth shut from now on.”

“Will you?” I turned to him.

“I’ll try. That’s all I can promise.”

We sat in silence as we drove toward campus.

“Do I still have a job?” I asked tentatively. The silence hadn’t been the comfortable kind.

“What? Of course you do.”

“I didn’t know…you seemed pissed.”

“I’m not going to fire you. You’ve got a job.”

“Thanks.” Despite my annoyance, I knew I wasn’t going to find a job as good as Al’s anytime soon.

“I’m guessing you don’t want me to kill him?”

“No. I don’t.”

“All right.”

“Good night.” I opened my door.

“Take care of yourself.”

“You, too.”

Chapter Fourteen

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Hi again

Dear Juliet,

I’m having fun. What about you? Is college all you hoped it would be?

Your Older and Wiser Cousin,

Amy

Dylan didn’t notice my approach. He was on his phone yelling at someone about something. I took a seat on the bench right next to him, not sure how long he was going to be. The quad was packed, and I enjoyed people watching. One of the things I found so interesting about college was how differently people dressed—especially girls. Some girls went to class in sweats or pajamas, while others were dressed to the nines. Left to my own devices, I’d be in the middle, but unless I wanted to be shunned by my house, I had to make an effort. I figured I looked decently cute in a casual sundress. At least flip flops were always appropriate.

“When did you get here?” Dylan pocketed his phone.

“Just a few minutes ago.”

“You should have told me.” He held out a hand to help me up.

I accepted his hand. “I didn’t mind waiting.”

“You never have to wait on me.” He led me over to where his car was parked.

“Do you usually drive to class?” Considering how close the frat houses were, it surprised me.

He gave me a disbelieving face. “Of course not. I knew we were going out.” He held open my door for me.

I got in, glad when Dylan turned the AC on full force. The leather seats were hot against my bare legs, and I awkwardly tried to pull my skirt down as much as possible.

“Are you in the mood for sushi?”

“Oh. Sure.” I wasn’t the biggest sushi fan, but I didn’t hate it or anything.

“Nice.” He put a hand on my leg as he pulled away from the curb. “I’m glad I finally get to take you out.”

I didn’t like the way he said it. As if I was the one making it difficult. “You and me both.”

“I owe you, don’t I?”

“Don’t say it like that.”

He squeezed my leg. “I don’t want you to think I can’t take care of you. I’m going to take good care of you.”

I got this warm feeling when he said it. I liked the thought of being taken care of by Dylan.

“I know.”

He parked in front of the restaurant. I got out of the car, content to let him lead me inside. We walked through a beaded curtain, and as the hostess led us over to the table, I tried not to laugh at the strange sci-fi music playing from speakers somewhere. It definitely was a unique place. We got a booth in a corner, and I scanned the menu.