pulls a pen out of his pocket and rips the napkin with my number in half, writing his on the other side and handing it to me. “I’ll be offended if you don’t at least text me to say goodbye.”
I take the napkin and force a smile. It’s stupid. I just met him, but no part of me wants to leave him right now.
“Go finish eating, and good luck on your exams.” He squeezes my hand and kisses me softly on the lips before walking away.
I watch him go, already feeling an emptiness in the pit of my stomach. Julia comes up next to me and puts her arm around my shoulders. “Wow. He couldn’t be more perfect for you.” She grabs my omelet from the counter and walks me to a table. I can’t even taste the delicious food. I just want Andy to come back.
After a semi-brief send off speech from Dean Decker, I do my best to focus on my exams. I struggle a little with the math, but that’s nothing new for me. Math has never been my subject. But the English essay is easy. I can write essays in my sleep. I finish early and motion to Julia that I’ll wait for her outside. After turning in my blue book, I pull Andy’s number from my pocket and text him.
Finished. Can you meet me by the Newman building?
I wait and wait, but no response. My eyes sting with the threat of tears. Julia comes out and looks around. “Where is he?”
“Swim practice. He must be in the water and isn’t getting my text.”
Julia sits on the stairs, patting the spot next to her. “Then we’ll wait.”
I sit, but I’m not that hopeful. We can’t sit here all day. I’d look pathetic. I watch the minutes tick by on my cell, each one making my heart sink a little lower into my stomach. Why did I have to fall for Andy so quickly? I shouldn’t be in this situation, praying he’ll show up so I don’t have to feel like the slutty freshman who hooked up on her first night at college. No wait, I’m not even technically in college yet.
“Holy shit!” Julia stands up, pulling me with her. “Look!”
Andy is running across the quad wearing nothing but a Speedo.
“Oh my God!” My heart races as Andy runs to me—my knight in shining Speedo—to erase my fears.
“I told you he’s perfect for you. Any guy willing to run practically naked across campus for you is a keeper.” Julia smiles at me. “I’ll meet you at the car.”
I give her a quick thank you and turn to Andy running up the steps. He’s out of breath when he reaches me.
“You ran across campus…” my eyes lower, “in nothing but a Speedo.”
“I had to say goodbye to you in person.”
To hell with looking pathetic. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him, not caring that he’s dripping wet.
When we finally pull apart, he looks into my eyes. “Just so you know, I plan to use your number.”
“That’s why I gave it to you.”
“Good because I can’t go the entire summer without at least talking to you.”
Summer. How am I supposed to accept not seeing Andy for months? “Summer’s a long time.” I swallow hard, trying not to let my true feelings come erupting to the surface.
“Summer’s not that long, and if you want to get a head start on your general education requirements, you could take a few classes. They’ll set you up in your dorm, which gives you first pick of your bed, and…” He pauses. “I’ll be here.”
Taking classes over summer break sounds dreadful, but getting to see Andy would be worth it. “There’s one problem.”
“What?”
“Julia will never let me choose my bed before her.”
“Then get her to take some classes, too. Then you’ll have two friendly faces around here.”
He couldn’t have given me a better answer. “You’re kind of perfect, you know that?”
“Could you tell that to Coach? I’m going to have to swim extra laps for running out of practice like that. But when I saw I missed your text, I just took off. I had to see you.”
That settles it. “So, will you tell me about these summer classes while you walk me to my car?”
“Sure. Maybe we can even plan to take one together.”
“Think we can pull that off? I mean, isn’t it getting late to register for summer courses? They’re probably filling up by now.”
“My dad’s the dean, remember?” His devilish smile is back.
“I thought you didn’t get special treatment,” I tease.
“I’m willing to call in a favor for this. We can work it all out tonight when I call you.”
I smile, my pulse racing, and press my lips to his. Yes, college is going to be so much better than high school.
Author Acknowledgements
First I have to thank my agent, Lauren Hammond, for always believing in me and pushing me to be better with every book I write. Thank you to S.B. Addison Books for taking a chance on the Campus Romance series. And thank you to Heather DeRobertis for designing a cover I absolutely love and that fits the story so well.
A huge thank you to my daughter and husband for understanding that my laptop is just as important to me as one of my limbs. To my family, your encouragement and support means so much. To my CPs, you ladies are incredible. I couldn’t write without you.
I also have to thank the book bloggers who helped with cover reveal and early reviews. The way you all jumped in to promote this book means so much to me. And finally, but maybe most importantly, thank you to everyone who reads Romancing the R.A. I hope you fall in love with Noelle and Andy the way I did.
Ashelyn Drake
Ashelyn Drake is a New Adult and Young Adult romance author represented by Lauren Hammond of ADA Management Group. While it’s rare for her not to have either a book in hand or her fingers flying across a laptop, she also enjoys spending time with her family. She believes you are never too old to enjoy a good swing set and there’s never a bad time for some dark chocolate. Visit her website/blog at http://ashelyndrake.wordpress.com.