Torrid Affair(5)

Slowly, everyone began to move up the line. I was next to be called when a buddy of mine from high school came by to chat.

“Hey, man.” He extended his hand. “I didn’t know you were coming here.”

“Yeah.” I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. “This is my first semester.”

“How’s Julian?”

“Good. He’s around here somewhere.” Unlike me who fucked around for a year, Julian had come to UNCC right out of high school.

“I’m having a party at the frat house Thursday night. Come through.” Rick had always been known for the craziest house parties. Once he convinced every sorority and fraternity to cancel their parties so no one else would go anywhere but to his home.

“I just made plans.” I shrugged. “Maybe next time.” I had two years left in college and I refused to fuck it up now.

“Of course you have a date. Still the same Nate who hooks up with all the bitches.” That was a lie. I was simply a friendly guy.

“Next!” a female voice shouted from the small office.

“I’ll catch you around, Rick.” I held my financial aid papers and marched toward the office.





Chapter 3





Brielle


I was clocking out of Dr. Carmack’s office with an hour to spare. It had been the longest four-hour shift I worked in my life. My eyes kept wandering to the clock on the screen as each second dragged.

Why was I this excited about seeing Nathaniel?

For the past three school years, I’d worked at Dr. Carmack’s dental office near campus as his receptionist. During the summer break his wife Maureen covered my shift. Most of his patients were university students who went back home for the summer, so his schedule was light.

I pulled my duffle bag out from under my desk, shut off the computer, and then walked to the bathroom to change out of my Mickey Mouse scrubs. Running my fingers through my wild curls, I attempted to tame the beast. It’s only a date, I reminded myself.

I drove through the traffic of University Drive and pulled into DefyGravity. I circled the parking lot and, to my surprise, Nate was standing in the only empty spot. When he noticed my car approaching, he scooted out of the way and let me slide in.

A new wave of butterflies fluttered in my stomach and I couldn't help but smile. It had been so long that I’d forgotten what a first date felt like. The tingling in my stomach. The rush of adrenaline that coursed through me. The constant need to make sure I didn't make a complete ass of myself. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once. It was a feeling that never lasted for long, so when you did experience it you held your breath and hoped it wouldn’t go away.

I grabbed my purse and hopped out of the car. “Aww, you’re sweet.” I beamed. ”You saved me a parking spot.”

A boyish grin grew on his face. “It’s the least I can do.”

The damn butterflies felt as if they were in my throat. What was it about him that had me absolutely smitten? “DefyGravity . . . I’ve never been here.” I studied the long brick building behind him. I was trying not to focus on how delicious he looked in his Chuck Taylors and crisp white T-shirt. A breeze was blowing, which sent a waft of his cologne in my direction.

“There’s nothing to it. You just jump on some trampolines.” He extended his arm to me. “Shall we?” I nodded, afraid my words would fail me, and laced my arm through his.

I followed Nate as he led us toward the entrance. “How was work?” he asked and slowed so we could walk the remainder of the path together.

“It was . . . work.” I giggled nervously. “It’s extra cash.”

“What do you do?”

“I work at a dental office. Nothing fancy.” My gaze locked with the tantalizing green hue of his eyes. With the reflection of his white shirt, they reminded me of the Caribbean. Mesmerizing.

“Do you work?” I forced the words out of my mouth when I realized I’d been deep in thought about his eye color.

“No. I do a co-op with a local construction company. Nothing major, but I get a few bucks in tips that help.” A man who knew how to use his hands. I felt my cheeks burn as I tried to remove the image of him building something. ”I actually major in architecture,” he stated as he approached the counter to buy our tickets.

“Oh, that’s cool. I guess the appreciation of buildings come in handy.”

DefyGravity was a large open warehouse with black and red trampolines scattered throughout the room. Some people were jumping, while others played basketball or dodgeball. In the back corner were two large trampolines that let you jump or flip into a foam pit.