My Date with the Frat President

Ch. 15 - Strangers

"When should I expect your article, Chapman?"

I rest my phone between my ear and my shoulder, reaching for a book in the library. "I'm still working on it, Kevin."

"Make sure you share what you have so far with me," he says shortly. "If this tanks, I need to find another highlight story."

"It's not going to tank," I say rather defensively. The lack of trust in my ability does hurt. I've always been looked down upon, especially by guys like Kevin.

"Yeah, whatever. Just don't suck." He hangs up.

I sigh and tuck my phone into my backpack. "What a dick."

"Well, I wouldn't say that," a guy says from next to me, an armful of books in his grip. "Holden Caulfield is far too much a complex character to be reduced to a dick."

I stand confused. "What?"

He points to the book in my hand. "The Catcher in the Rye."

"Oh." I laugh. "Right." I place the book back on the shelf. "I was actually talking about my editor."

"You're a writer?"

"A journalist," I say. "I write for the campus paper."

The man smiles, and I take a second to appreciate his subtle attractiveness. He has dark hair, dark skin, and poetic, dark eyes. I could write a sonnet about those eyes. He's young, but looks older than other college boys. Maybe a grad student, I consider. Definitely not a frat star.

"Have you read the Catcher in the Rye?"

"Yes, only like ten times," I say with a laugh. "Like you said, Holden Caulfield is far too much a complex character. I always catch something new when I read it again." The book nerd in me is so excited to discuss this.

"I completely agree." He taps on the top of his pile of books. "Have any book suggestions? I've read most of the classics, and I'm looking to expand my library."

I contemplate. "Hm."

"I don't mean to put you on the spot. Why don't we discuss this over coffee sometime?"

Well, that was smooth.

"I don't usually go to coffee with strangers," I say.

He nods. "Fair. Well, why don't I introduce myself then? My name is Ollie. I'm a law student here. And I love long walks on the beach."

I smile. "Hi, Ollie. I'm Brooklyn. I'm a junior studying journalism, and I also enjoy long walks on the beach," I say.

"So, what do you say about coffee?"

I take a moment to consider. Aiden and I just decided that we are just friends-who-occasionally-go-on-dates, which doesn't really give me any feeling that we're supposed to be exclusive. It still feels so wrong to say yes to a date with this man. I have too strong of feelings for Aiden, but my scared heart wants me to be protected.

"I'm sorry. I can't. I just... it's complicated."

"Oh, okay. I've been there. I'm man enough to take some rejection here," he says and places his hands to his chest. "But I would really like some book recommendations. Can I at least give you my number?"

I nod and reach for my phone, almost a little too eager. "Yeah, of course."

He types in his name and his number into my contacts and hands me back my phone. "It was nice meeting you. Good luck with the article."

"The article?" I immediately feel caught. What does he know?

"You were on the phone with your editor, remember? The dick?"