Kiss King - Mickey Miller Page 0,72
are high school sweethearts, and who am I to judge? Hell, I’m secretly hooking-up with my best friend. I’m not going to tell her to break up with her boyfriend.
It’s just, I know April. I know how hot she is. And I know she can do a hell of a lot better than this Matt doucheboy. No, I can’t tell her outright.
I touch her forearm. “I’m just looking out for you, April. If you ever want to talk about him, I’m here to listen.”
“I know.” Her eyes drift to the window. “I really think he’ll change once we’re engaged. Which is going to be soon.”
I nod, and I’m not sure what to say. My mom has told me countless times if you’re waiting for your partner to change once X milestone comes up…there’s a ninety-nine percent chance you’re living life in the clouds, and that they’ll never change.
I can admit that not everyone has the same romantic experience as I do though. In fact, I’m probably more the exception than the rule.
How many women get damp panties just by reading a text and imagining in your head what the man sounds like?
I suppose not everyone can have a Grant in their lives. He’s the calmest man I’ve ever known. So unfazed and comfortable in his own skin.
Our professor begins the class lecture, and I pick up my phone and notice I’ve got a message from him.
Grant: I’ve got a fun surprise for you today!
Maya: Oh really…do tell. I’m in class right now.
Grant: Just come to Art Studio room 410 when you’re done.
Maya: Is this a booty call?
Grant: You’ll see ;)
Maya: Class is kind of dry today, to be honest.
Grant: This will be exciting
My stomach tumbles. I stand up, and my professor gives me a funny look. “Need something?” she asks.
“I uh, have to use the bathroom,” I announce.
She blows out an exasperated breath. “Leaving already? Well, I sure hope you’ve done your reading.”
Oh. My. Goodness.
I wish Professor Renford wasn’t the assistant Business Department head. Apparently, I’m going to have to take several classes with her for my minor.
I head out of the room, figuring if I don’t have anything nice to say I just won’t say it.
The things I do for you, Grant.
Since my class is already in the art wing, room 410 is just one floor up on the fourth floor.
Leaving my stuff next to April, I head up and knock on the door, even though it’s open.
“Come in,” Grant says.
I walk into the room with white walls. There are students in two of the corners of the room painting with headphones on.
He’s standing in the corner of the room.
“Your materials finally arrived,” he says.
I stare in disbelief. Grant’s set up a fresh easel, thick canvas paper, and a set of pastels. My heart does a tumble.
“These are for me?”
“My mom had these left over after a class she teaches. She apologizes that they took so long.”
“Are you kidding? No apology necessary! This is absolutely amazing!”
I hug him, but we don’t kiss as I notice the prodding eyes of the girl to our left.
“Happy birthday…kinda. I mean I would have got you this anyway. Also, I didn’t mean to yank you out of class.”
“That’s okay…I needed a quick break.”
“All right. I wanted you to see everything. And this space is reserved and rented out for you for the rest of the year.”
“There was a huge waiting list!”
“I know. I don’t want to tell you who I had to kill to move up on it. There’s one catch, though.”
“What’s that?”
He whispers in my ear. “You’ve got to paint now, every day. This place is open twenty-four hours a day. So, you can come in whenever you want.”
“So can you,” I wiggle my eyebrows.
My phone vibrates in my hand.
It’s from April.
April: Where are you? Professor Renford just gave us a random pop quiz.
My stomach tumbles. “Grant, I have to go. Thanks for this. Thanks for…everything.”
“Of course.”
The wild desire to kiss him bubbles up within me, but I somehow summon the strength to pull myself away and head back to class.
“Well, Ms. Waters. Thank you for joining us again,” she says. “Did you get everything taken care of?”
“Yeah, it’s fine,” I say. “Where’s the pop quiz?”
“Oh, we all handed it back already.”
“Okay…so when should I take it?” I ask as I sit back down next to April.
“Oh, that won’t be necessary. You’ll just have to take a zero. And I would like to recommend that you learn to plan out your bodily