Trust in Me(101)

            I laughed under my breath. “I honestly don’t know for sure.”

            “There’re car sales and furniture sales on Presidents’ Day,” Ollie said, grinning as if he was proud of what he came up with. “And banks are closed.”

            “Wow.” Brittany exchanged a look with Shortcake and then turned her gaze up at Ollie. “You don’t get laid on Presidents’ Day. You do on Valentine’s Day.”

            Ollie paused, a noodle blowing softly in the wind as he looked down at her. “You offering?”

            “Wow,” I murmured. “Smooth.”

            Shortcake giggled.

            Throwing out her arm, Brittany knocked Ollie off the bench. “No. I am not offering.”

            Ollie landed nimbly on his feet. “That’s a shame.” He bent down so close to Brittany that his blond hair tangled with hers. “I’d change your life, baby.”

            Unable to control herself, Avery laughed out loud, and I dropped my head on her shoulder, hiding my face as secondhand embarrassment washed over me.

            Brittany looked unimpressed. “You’re probably right. I imagine that after one night with you, I’d be paying a visit to the health clinic for the rest of my life.”

            “Ouch.” He slammed his free hand against his chest. “You wound me.”

            She laughed then. “I doubt that.”

            Ollie plopped down next to her and held up his chopsticks. “Noodle?”

            Smiling slightly, she shook her head. “No. Thank you.”

            Avery sat up, and cold air sifted in between us. I reached for her, dragging her back against my chest. “Don’t go,” I said, wrapping my arms around her. “You’re like my heated blanket.”

            She twisted toward me, pressing a kiss to the corner of my lips. “I have to go to class.”

            “Skip,” I murmured, seeking out her lips. “Come home with me.” I chased down her mouth, slipping my tongue between her cool lips. “I’ll warm you up.”

            Her body shivered, and I doubted it had anything to do with the cold. “That’s about as classy as Ollie changing Brittany’s life.”

            “Hey!” Ollie shouted. “Don’t bring me into your little love nest.”

            Shortcake’s cheek flushed, and I wondered if she’d forgotten that we weren’t alone. She wiggled her way free, like she had done that night before in my bedroom, on my bed, and I swallowed a groan.

            I really did not need to be thinking about that right now.

            “I’ll see you in a little while?” she said to Brittany, giving her a quick hug.

            Brittany nodded. “You got it.”

            Saying good-bye, I dropped my arm over her slim shoulders, intent on walking her to Whitehall. She smiled up at me, squinting. “You’re supposed to be on the other side of campus, right?”

            “Maybe.” I pulled off my cap and slipped it on her head, shielding the sun. “What are you and Brittany doing later?”

            “Going to the mall.” She pushed the brim of the cap up a little as she stepped to the side, reaching out with her hand. “We have some special shopping to do.”

            “Hmm.” I threaded my fingers through hers. “What kind of special shopping?”

            “It’s a secret.”