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“Shit,” he curses, looking angry with himself. “I’ve already eaten. We finished class an hour ago.”
“That’s okay.” I force a smile, trying hard not to let it bother me. Then I remember Logan sitting with his friends. They didn’t seem like they’d been there long, not long enough to eat. “Logan is over there. I’ll see if he wants to grab something if he hasn’t already eaten.”
He pulls me against his side. “Don’t be silly, Will. I can fit in a dessert while you grab something to eat. It’s fine.”
I have to bite back a sarcastic remark, one that’s on the tip of my tongue. It doesn’t feel like it’s me he wants to spend time with, but rather, he doesn’t want me to spend time with Logan. I know how much he dislikes him, so this can’t be for my benefit, but for his.
“Okay,” I agree, taking his outstretched hand, letting him lead us into the cafeteria.
“Oh, I’ve been meaning to ask you. Do you want to go out on Thursday for a meal?”
“Like a date?” I ask, almost giddily, forgetting about being annoyed with him. No one’s ever taken me out on a date before.
When I was at school, I’d just hang out with boys at the park or at a local youth centre. The word date never even came up. Then I left school and the places I’d meet them at changed to clubs or bars. The boy I lost my virginity to was a boyfriend I had since school. We broke up a year after leaving school. So yeah, getting asked out for a proper date is a nice surprise.
“Yeah, like a date,” he agrees, amused by my goofy behaviour.
I wrap my arms around his neck. “Then yes, I’d love to.”
I can’t help but share my excitement. Pulling away from Alec, I turn around to face Allie and squeal. She looks pleased for me and laughs at my expression.
“I’m going on a date,” I squeal, clapping my hands.
My mind is running through outfit choices but none seem special enough for this occasion.
“I heard,” Allie laughs, her eyes twinkling.
“You know what this means?” I ask.
“Shopping,” she mutters dryly, rolling her eyes.
Alec wraps his arms around me from behind whilst chuckling. I lean my head back on his shoulder with a huge grin on my face, which will most likely be a permanent fixture for the rest of the day.
CHAPTER EIGHT
This week seems to be passing by far too quickly, not that I’m complaining. Thursday is finally here.
Every day, I’ve sent my mum a selfie. Whether I’m in the loos at uni, sitting in class, or doing homework, I send her one, at her request. Tonight is no different as I press send on my phone, sending her a picture of me in my first real date outfit.
Yes, it’s date night already, and I’m beyond ready to go out with Alec. I haven’t really seen him since we got here, except during the brief moments when we’ve passed each other around the university. We’ve texted and called a few times during the week but it’s not the same. I’ve missed him, so I’m looking forward to spending some quality time with him.
Mum: Holy hotness, chica! Be safe. Make him work for it.
I laugh at my mum’s text, especially the winking emoji she put at the end. She’s obsessed with them.
Willow: Nah, I’m easy, Mum. If I’m lucky, I’ll get pregnant.
Mum: Just make sure you name her after me.
Willow: I was thinking more along the lines of Kiki for a girl and Didi for a boy. *sigh*
Mum: At least you’re sensible enough to think about it beforehand. It’s all a mother can ask for in her daughter.
Willow: LOL. Love you, Mum.
Mum: Love you too, baby. Have fun. You look beautiful. Alec is a very lucky boy.
The time on my phone flashes at me and I groan. It’s nearly half seven, the time Alec arranged on Tuesday after he booked a table at a restaurant. It’s meant to be one of the best around here. I looked it up and the reviews were outstanding. I also noticed how many people said they had been on the waiting list for months to get a table, so Alec pulling this off blew me away.