Torrid Affair(31)

I swiped my card, entered my pin, and waited until she gave me my receipt. “Thanks, Chloe. I'll see you around. Have a happy New Year if I don't see you.”

“You too, Brie.”



I pulled my car into the almost empty lot as I contemplated what to eat first, Oreos or ice cream. I had spent the last few hours at the market; I was obsessed with walking up and down every aisle. You’d be surprised how many people were in the store on Christmas Eve.

I popped the trunk open and hopped out of the car. It was then that I spotted him.

Nate.

I hadn’t seen him since I puked. Our last two classes together were spent writing up papers about the buildings we saw, and I never contacted him again. Things between him and Delaney had changed, as well. She was still pissed that he was Santa. Thankfully, her anger bought me two weeks without his presence in my room, but she announced before she left that they made up and all was right in the world again. I was convinced he would be spending the holiday with Delaney as it was their first Christmas together.

Julian had gone home to his mother's house, and though he invited me a bunch of times to join them for Christmas dinner, I simply said no, and he gave me the space I asked for. He texted me periodically that he hoped I was well and that he missed me, but usually I ignored him.

Nate’s gaze met mine and he rubbed his hands together to warm them before he walked in my direction. “What are you doing here?” I asked, pulling the bags from my trunk.

“I do security around campus during the winter break. Need help?” He reached inside my car and took the three paper bags.

“Thanks.” I smiled up at him, a little more eager to see him than I should have been. “Where’s your security car?” I turned my head side to side. “And your uniform?”

He shrugged and rolled his eyes. “Fine.” A boyish grin grew on his face. “I wanted to make sure you were okay. I haven’t seen you since the Christmas bash, and when I didn’t see your light on, I figured you were out.”

“You could’ve called. No need to come all the way out here.” I cocked an eyebrow and began to walk toward my dorm.

“I could’ve and would’ve but I never got your number.”

“Ah.” I twirled back toward him. “That is true.”

“Plus, I figured I’d let you thank me in person.”

‘Thank you for what?”

“Well, let’s see. Holding your hair back as you puked. Bringing you home and carrying you up the stairs. Putting you to bed—”

“Okay!” I raised my hands for him to stop. “You’re right. Thank you, for taking care of me that night.”

Nate winked at me and Pandora’s box began to shake, demanding to be opened.

We walked up the two flights of stairs and I pulled my room key out of my purse. I pushed the door open and flicked the light on. “Thanks for carrying those up. It would have taken me two trips.”

“No problem.” Nate lowered the bags to my computer table and looked over at me.

This was the first time we were alone—really alone. I fidgeted with my keys and refused to meet his gaze.

He cleared his throat. “What are you making?”

“Coquito.” I shoved my keys in my purse and removed my jacket. “My first semester here, Del and I shared a room with a Puerto Rican girl named Analia, and right before she left for break she made us each a bottle of it.” I walked over to the bags and pulled out the rum, condensed milk and other ingredients. “It’s like eggnog but so much better.”

“Looks like you’re planning a party.” He lifted a large bottle of Bacardi Silver.

“Do you want to try it?”

“Sure.” His green eyes were bright like emerald gems. His gray zipped sweater was loose around his torso but hugged his strong arms, and his black jeans were broken in and faded. God, he looked delectable.

“Will it take long to make?”

I backed away from where we stood and opened my small fridge. Pulling out another bottle of Bacardi that was already filled with a milky concoction, I lifted it to show him. “I have a batch all set.”

“And this stuff?” He pointed to the ingredients in my bag.

“I’ll sip on this all night while I watch every Christmas movie known to man. And tomorrow is Christmas day, so in the event I run out, I have a backup stash.”

“Spoken like a true lush.” He shook his head in mock disapproval.

Ignoring his comment, I poured the Coquito into two red Solo cups and handed him one. “Cheers.” I lifted my cup up to him.

“Merry Christmas, Brielle,” he whispered.

I ignored the butterflies that instantly fluttered in my stomach and took a gulp of my drink. “Are you going back home tonight?”