I rested my hand on her shoulder, trying to loosen her up. “That’s all you’re going to tell me?” I shook her a little and winked. “Come on, Pearl …”
She started to laugh, and it hit me that she wasn’t uncomfortable; she was just in unfamiliar territory. She couldn’t act her way through this scene, her emotions making her slightly fidgety. Along with bringing me up to Gran, I would take that as a good sign.
“You don’t have to answer that,” I said, lowering my hand to her waist, my placement gentle. “Answer this instead: what are you doing right now?”
She looked at her watch, buying herself a few seconds and giving me time to check her out. With her jacket unzipped, her shirt hugged her perfectly sized tits, and the style of her jeans revealed her long, lean legs. I would do anything to turn her around to see the tightness of her ass, but I kept my hand where it was.
Her eyes returned to mine as she said, “I’m headed to the library to study for a bit before I have to report to the auditorium.”
“You have another show tonight?”
“Every day this week, and on Monday, we start rehearsals for the next play.”
As she spoke, I started to plan my next move. “How much time before you have to be at the auditorium?”
“About three hours.”
“Are you hungry?”
She nodded toward her bag. “I have some crackers in there that I’m going to eat.”
With how long her days were, I wasn’t surprised she had brought food, but crackers wouldn’t do.
I slung my arm over her shoulders, leaving it there while I walked her toward the stairwell. “What are your thoughts on cake?”
The sound of her laugh was so honest and raw but light at the same time. “Gran used to make me one for my birthday. Vanilla with vanilla icing. But that stopped years ago, and I don’t know if I’ve had cake since.”
“Vanilla is your favorite?” I opened the door, and we entered the stairwell.
“I know what you’re up to, Ashe.” She grinned. “Would you let me get away with saying studying is my favorite and that’s what I need to be doing right now?”
I smiled. “No.”
“I figured.” She paused for a moment. “You know, I think vanilla might be the only flavor I’ve had.”
“What?” I tightened my arm, pulling her a little closer as I whispered, “I’m about to change your whole world.”
We got to the first step, and even though she was glancing straight ahead, the emotion was clear on her face. “I think you already have.”
“I’m so full; I feel like I could explode,” Pearl groaned.
There were four half-eaten slices of cake in front of her. This time, chocolate, peanut butter, vanilla raspberry, and lemon blueberry were the flavors I had ordered, following a meal of grilled cheese and tomato soup. Every time she stepped on that stage tonight and felt the fullness in her stomach, I wanted her to think of me.
“And I’m pretty sure I could take the longest nap ever.” She yawned.
I checked my watch. She still had two hours before she had to be at the auditorium.
“I can make that happen. You know I’m right off campus. We can go to my place, and then I’ll walk you back to school.” I watched her process my suggestion. “I’m not going to try anything, Pearl. I’ve told you, you can trust me.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about.” She set down her fork, chewing her lip, like it was more dessert. “I’m afraid that I’ll keep enjoying every second I spend with you.”
“That sounds like a good problem to have.”
“Not to someone who’s anti-relationships.” She took a breath and held it in. “I’m also afraid that before I know it, I’ll be making you a priority, and everything I’ve built will crumble away.”
When I went to comment, she reached across the table, putting her hand on my forearm to stop me. I couldn’t help but note that this was the first time she had touched me.
“But when I mentioned all of my fears to Gran, she told me to give you a chance. She would never say that unless she truly believed it.” She looked down at the chunk of lemon icing on her fork. “Sounds silly, but I think I needed to hear her say that before I ruined something that has the potential to be one