About You

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The next day, I go to my Sociology class and kill the pop quiz. My victory high is short lived though, because as soon as I get back to my dorm, I remember my date with Evan. Like official date with Evan.

My heart hasn't stopped fluttering since he asked me out on a proper date last night, so I try on my whole closet looking for something to wear because I'm a nervous wreck.

The mid November weather is cold, so I try to find something that will match my gloves and beanie. With comfortable jeans and a knit pullover, I hope I'm wearing enough to keep me warm. I study myself in the mirror, then braid and unbraid my long hair. With a frustrated sigh, I leave it down and sit on the edge of my bed.

With a bang, the front door opens and I hear Alex mutter to herself. I jump up and open my door to find her carrying groceries into the kitchen area. When she sees me, she looks me up and down and whistles.

"Damn, Tara. Hot date?"

I blush and try to hide it. "Oh, no." I wave my hands. "I'm just trying on my wardrobe." I tell her.

She gives me an uh huh sure look and I blush again. I go back in my room and sit on the bed, listening to her put away her groceries while my heart hammers in my chest.

Calm down. But it's no use. Evan's coming. He'll be here tonight. Should I say something to her?

As I think this, he walks in the door.

"Where do you want this thing once I finally get it in here?" he asks, but stops short when he sees me. Jumping up to my doorway when I hear his voice, I feel his blue eyes full of electricity as they roam my outfit. He licks his lips and I can tell he really wants to say something, but he doesn't. In fact, he changes his face to almost a look of disinterested disgust before turning back to Alex.

"Oh, just get it in here," She says and closes the fridge. He raises his eyebrows at her.

"Okay, okay. Back wall by my desk."

He gives her a smug look before walking back out the door.

What just happened? Did I imagine yesterday? I thought we were getting along. I thought we were having a date?

Hurt and a little wounded, I offer to help Alex put the last few things away. Then I finally ask her what's going on.

"The strangest thing. When I called Evan and asked if he would help me move some stuff today, he actually agreed. I didn't even have to bribe him or anything." She tells me. "There must be something going on with him."

"Must be." I agree.

"And not the Cassie breakup, something else..." she wonders out loud. I don't know what to say to that so I just keep quiet. Something else?

He comes back half carrying- half dragging a large box of what looks like furniture through our front door.

He gives Alex a death glare and heaves a deep sigh before continuing his dragging into Alex's bedroom. He doesn't look at me again.

"Thanks, Evan. Nate will be here tonight to help me set it up. You can just leave it in there." She calls out to him and heads for the bathroom.

"Hallelujah." He sarcastically remarks. Walking back out to only see me, he raises an eyebrow.

"Bathroom." I point and turn to the sink, looking for something to do to make it less awkward. I feel him walk up behind me and I freeze in place. His breath is close to my ear, but not as close as before.

"You smell good, too. Are you sure you don't have a hot date tonight?" he whispers in my ear. Trying to be brave, I turn around and lean back against the sink to face him. I roll my eyes and cross my arms so he knows I'm mad at him.

"Why didn't you say something before?"

"I wasn't sure Alex would approve of us...you know." He gestures between us. "Besides, it's a little fun sneaking around."

I don't know how I feel about sneaking around behind my friend and roommates back, but I have to admit it was hot to see Evan undressing me with his eyes in secret.

"Okay, I understand. For now, let's just keep this between us." I pause. "Whatever this is."

He smiles at me and takes a small step closer. I close my eyes and breathe him in.

"So, is this what you're wearing tonight?" he asks me in his smooth deep voice. I can't answer him because his hand is playing with the ends of my hair and it's too distracting.

The bathroom door handle starts turning loudly and Evan jumps away from me as Alex opens it.

"So, Rae should be here shortly. We're going out for a girl's night, if you want to come Tara?" she asks. "Unless you do have a hot date and you're just not telling me?" she asks sweetly.

I try my absolute hardest not to look at Evan, but when I do sneak a little glance out of the corner of my eye, I find him staring right at me.

I gulp. "I'm busy tonight actually. But I'll tell you if anything exciting happens, I swear."

She doesn't buy it. She opens her mouth to say something again when her phone rings. "Hey, Rae." She answers it, giving me what looks like the stink eye.

I don't like being the centre of attention and Evan can tell as he tries not to laugh at me squirm. His blue eyes are so playful. A noticeable contrast to Alex who is glaring trying to figure out what I'm hiding. Her dark eyes are murderous.

"I'm almost ready. Tara has a hot date and she won't tell me who it is." She blurts out. I try not to shift too much under their gazes while still trying to look comfortable resting against the sink.

"I'll tell her." She moves the phone away from her face. "She said bros before hoes." She shouts at me, even though I can make out Rae talking normally on the phone.

"Oh, leave her alone." Evan jumps in. "And besides, isn't that a guy thing?'

"No. girls can have bros too." She tells him and her phone while collecting her purse.

"No, I'm surprised it didn't work either." She says, like I'm not still in the same room as her. "But we'll interrogate her later."

I must have made a horrified expression, because Evan chokes on his laughter again.

"What's wrong with you? Never mind, I have to go. See you guys." She starts to ask him, but instead waves over her shoulder.

"No, she hasn't told me about anyone." We hear her talking down the hallway to the elevator. The door slowly comes to a close, but neither of us moves.

"That was hell." I say. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up. I didn't know they were that interested in me.

"You did great." He tells me. And I can see something in his eyes, but it's gone too soon. "I'll pick you up at eight?"

I nod, because all my words are gone now. He smiles at me before opening the door and stepping out.