he have stuck around? Why does he keep flirting with me and then disappearing?
We start back toward our seats, when Julia’s head whips around. Before I can see what it is that got her attention, she says, “I’ll be right back,” and takes off in a hurry.
“Where are you—?”
“I told you you’d come back.” The words are a mere whisper behind me, and he’s so close his breath sends tingles down my neck.
Chapter Three
I turn around a little too quickly, and my cone smashes into his chest. His rock hard chest. “Oh my God! I’m so sorry.” I set my mug and cone down on the nearest table and look around for napkins. There aren’t any, but I see a guy two seats over bringing a napkin to his mouth. I reach for the napkin, ripping it from his hand. “Sorry. Emergency.” I turn and wipe the yogurt from—what is his name?
He smiles and places his hand on top of mine. I stop wiping his shirt and stare into his blue eyes, nearly melting on the spot. “You stole a napkin for me. I’m touched.”
I’d steal more than that for him. “I didn’t see any others around.”
He laughs. “Resourceful. That will come in handy in college.”
“Right.” My body feels like it’s on fire. He must think I’m a klutz in addition to being a hillbilly with no direction. I might as well let Julia go for him. I’ve officially ruined my chances.
“I meant that as a compliment, but it looks like I’ve offended you.”
“No. I’m just…embarrassed.” There, I said it.
“Don’t be. Last week, some guy spilled a plate of pasta on a girl’s head. Now that was embarrassing. This is just a little yogurt. It won’t even stain.” He smiles, and already I feel better.
“You’re sweet.” Oh God! I did not mean to say that out loud. I swallow hard, waiting for his reaction.
“Thanks. You know, you never told me your name.”
“You didn’t tell me yours, either.” My confidence returns as I realize he’s still flirting with me.
“Well, seeing as I’m the victim of a yogurt attack, I think you should tell me first.”
If he keeps smiling at me like that I’ll tell him anything he wants to know. “I’m Noelle. Noelle Buckman.” I can’t help wondering if telling him my last name wasn’t a good idea. His dad’s the dean. He could look me up or something. Find out I bombed my S.A.Ts. Crap!
“Nice to meet you, Noelle Buckman.” Great. It’s like he’s repeating my name to commit it to memory. I’m screwed. “I’m Andy Decker.” He’s being so formal all of a sudden that I almost expect him to bow or something.
A glob of yogurt falls off his shirt. “Oh. We really need more napkins.” I look around, but there’s no one else to steal them from. The cafeteria is almost deserted. “Where did everyone go?”
Andy looks at his watch. “Damn it. The next lecture’s already started. Dad will be thrilled I’m late.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll tell him it was my fault. He can’t blame you after he finds out I dumped my yogurt on you.”
“Sure he will. He’ll tell me I got what I deserved for hitting on you.”
I freeze. Even though I know that’s what he’s doing, hearing him admit it makes my heart race. “Um, I guess we should go. I have to find Julia.”
He looks around. “It seems I keep scaring off your friend.”
“Nah. She’s dodging you on purpose to give us a chance to—” I catch myself, but the damage is already done.
He gives me a sexy half-smile that has me thinking about kissing him again. “To give us a chance to…”
He wants me to say it. To admit what’s going on between us. This is new territory for me. Most guys at my school would never admit they liked me without sending one of their friends to find out if I liked them first. Andy is so open, honest. It makes me like him even more.
“Get to know each other.” I swallow my nerves and force myself to meet his eyes.
“Is that what you want?”
A world of yes! “Did I not make that clear when I smeared my yogurt on your shirt?” Wait. Am I actually getting better at flirting?
He laughs. “I don’t know how I missed that. Now that you mention it, it’s so obvious.”
I smile, and my shoulders relax, even though my stomach is full of flutters.
“Well, I don’t want your friend to get worried about you, so you should probably