NEW SSN Peek!
I stood at the salad bar, trying to decide what would appease my growling stomach without causing me stay attached to the toilet all night. There was a loud bang as one of the side doors to the restaurant flung open. A group of guys strolled in loudly chatting away to one another.
“Oh my god,” the girl across from the salad bar mumbled to her friend. “They’re on the football team.”
I glanced over my shoulder again at the guys entering the bar, but this time I made eye contact with one that was familiar. His sharp jaw outlined with just enough stubble to make him look a few years older than me. The tips of his curls a bright blonde and highlighted against the dark black of his roots. Immediately, my eyes dropped to the shiny silver salad bar in front of me. He hadn’t talked to me since that night on the field at Bryant-Denny stadium. It was like he’d disappeared from my life as quickly as he’d entered it. It was probably for the best though. We were from two totally different worlds. His life seemed genuinely good, pure... real? Mine was based on secrets and lies and fake facades. I took a quiet breath before glancing over my shoulder again to steal one more look. I was a glutton for punishment, and he was just nice to look at.
This time the look in his eyes was primal—hungry like a lion for prey, yet there was some hesitation like he couldn’t decide if I was the right target. He scanned the restaurant one more time before striding over toward me.
Despite the fact we hadn’t spoken, I loved the fact that he was coming over here. My stomach flipped a few times at the thought of hearing his smooth baritone voice again.
“Hey, Allyson,” he whispered once he stopped beside me.
I couldn’t see his face, but I could picture a sly smirk on his perfectly crafted lips. If I was being honest, I’ve dreamt about him—and those lips— twice since our night on the field at Bryant-Denny stadium. The dreams always ended the same way, too.
With us being friends.