Page 5 of 3rd and 4 (Season of Change #3)

“What’s good here?” Daya questions as she looks up at the big menu board. It’s lunch time and the deli is busy. You’d think a college town would be quiet over the summer, and it is compared to fall and spring semesters, but there’s still plenty going on.

I stand just behind her, using the crowd as an excuse to keep a hand on her hip to hold her close. While she’s been perusing the options, I’ve been marveling at how large my hand looks against her slender frame. She’s compact. And it’s giving me ideas. X-rated, not-suitable-for-a-deli ideas.

Not to mention, she doesn’t strike me as the type of girl who would engage in such activities without a relationship established.

She’s in luck, though, because that’s exactly what I have planned.

There’s something about her, cliché I know, but true, nonetheless, that draws me in.

I like being around her. She’s quiet, shy even, but passionate when you get her talking.

Seeing her in action today during practice, watching her brain and body process every move was fascinating.

However, there is something off about her today that wasn’t there yesterday.

Even distracted, she’s leaps and bounds beyond me in raw, natural talent.

She just wasn’t as…crisp, I guess. I thought getting her out of the gym and somewhere neutral would help her refocus.

And give me a chance to get to know her better.

“Uh…literally anything. They do not serve bad food here. You want a sandwich? Wrap? Soup? Salad? Muffins? Cookies?”

“There’s so many options,” she mumbles to herself. I lean down, placing my mouth close to her ear, smiling at the shiver that travels down her spine.

“Want me to order for you?”

“Y-yes, please.”

“Any dietary restrictions?”

“Nah. I’m not allergic to anything.”

When it’s our turn, I order a chicken Caesar wrap for her, a white Reuben for myself, and a few sides for us to share.

She looks uncomfortable when I pull my phone out to pay.

She better get used to it, when we’re together I’ll pay.

Always. She huffs but follows along as I carry our tray full of food to a little table.

I’m glad they had empty seats, otherwise we’d have to eat outside.

We sit across from one another, and I smirk when she eyes my sandwich with interest. Silently, I put half of my sandwich on her plate and take half of her wrap to put on mine.

She looks up at me with a toothy grin. “Thank you.” We eat quietly for a few minutes, each enjoying the food. After a while, she sips her lemonade, and shifts in her seat, getting comfortable. “You’re a senior, right?”

“Yes. I’m set to graduate at the end of this school year.”

“What’s your major?”

I swallow my bite, wipe my mouth with my napkin and give her a closed mouth smile. “Civil engineering.”

“What’s that?” She leans forward, her eyes inquisitive.

“Buildings, bridges, roads. My uncle owns a construction company, and I’ve worked for him since I was old enough to hold a tape measure.

” She smiles encouragingly. “He forced me to get an education,” I sigh exasperatedly, and she giggles, “then I can come back and work beside him. Design and maintenance of things like road, water or sewage systems. Supervisor role to ensure the projects are compliant, safe, and within budget. Basically, I’ll do whatever Uncle Hal tells me to. ”

Her face pinches. “Where…where are your parents? Are they still—”

“Alive. My parents are alive and well and super supportive but totally uninterested in anything construction.” She visibly relaxes, making me smile.

“They are both super nerds. The nerdiest people you’ll ever meet.

Complete with tape on the bridge of their glasses, allergies, and the finger in the air when they’re making a point.

” I lift my hand with my index finger extended and pretend to push up imaginary glasses.

“But you’re so… not nerdy .” She runs her gaze over my body, what she can see since we’re sitting anyway, and licks her bottom lip.

She’s fucking killing me. I groan low, willing my cock to stand down while we’re in public.

Doesn’t matter that I jerked off last night, twice, or again this morning before practice.

I’ve had my hands on most of her body today, except the parts I want to touch more than I want the Browns to win a Superbowl.

I was respectful, kept my hands away from her tits and pussy, but it was very, very difficult.

Her ass though, Jesus it was perfection in my hands when I hoisted her up.

“Not nerdy? What am I then?” I tease her, hoping she’ll confess she feels the same about me as I do about her. I know she’s too shy, so I’ll have to wait for that.

“You’re…you’re, uh, athletic.”

“I’m sorry, it sounded like you mispronounced hot.

” I wiggle my finger in my ear like it’s clogged while she giggles again and rolls her eyes.

It’s a soft, girly sound that does crazy things to my heart rate.

“My dad and Uncle Hal are polar opposites too, but best friends. My cousin Elyria, Uncle Hal’s daughter, is exactly like my dad.

So, they swapped kids and everyone’s happy.

Uncle Hal and I bond over dovetail joints, and Elyria and dad wig out about algorithms and processing power. ”

“That’s awesome.” Her tone wistful, her gaze unfocused.

“You said your parents are supportive. Are you an only child?”

“No.” She answers quickly with a wry smile. “I have an older brother, Brad. He’s my best friend.”

“That’s awesome. I don’t have any siblings myself, but Elyria and I are 3 months apart, so we’ve been treated like twins most of our lives.”

“Does she look like you?” I bark a laugh, thinking of my cousin.

“Not at all! I mean, if you look closely, you can tell we share some familial traits, but we are nothing alike physically. I’m dark hair, muscular, athletic, devilishly handsome.

She’s pretty, as far as cousins go, but she spends so much time inside in front of a computer that she’s pale and skinny and can barely lift a gallon of milk. ”

“She can’t be that bad.”

“She went outside once, and the sun had to shield its eyes, she’s so pale.” I lean over the table and whisper, “She’s a vampire.”

“She is not!” Daya smacks my arm and sits back in her chair with a laugh.

I check my watch and notice the time. “We’ve got a workout scheduled at 3.

You wanna hang out until then? I could give you a walking tour of the campus, best places to eat, things to avoid…

” I let the offer hang between us, watching as she weighs her options.

My breath is stuck in my lungs as I wait for her to respond.

“That would be nice. Thank you.” I exhale shakily, covering it under the guise of wiping my mouth with my napkin.

“Come on. First stop is the creamery.”

“I’ve heard it’s good.”

“Good? Good ?” I sigh theatrically, dropping my head to shake. “Oh, child, you have so much to learn. Come, my young padawan. Your real training begins now.”