Page 25 of Quarterback Sneak

“So, orange chicken, not a fan of black coffee, and not nearly as much of a sports’ fan as your friend,” he says easily. “What else is there to know about you?”

“I think that’s a pretty fair amount,” I tell him. “What about you?”

“I think your friend knows everything about me,” he says dryly. “Just ask her my height and weight; I bet she’s got that memorized too.”

I can’t help my smile. “You’re probably right.” I take a step back. “Well, have a good afternoon.”

“Wait,” he says, lifting his hand. My attention snags on his hand, but he drops it to his side. I absently wonder what he was going to do. “Can I get your number?”

In that moment, I want to; I want to cave. I tighten my resolve. “I’m sorry. I—I,” I pause, unsure what to say.

“You’re going on a date, right?” His voice is kind, gentle even.

“Yeah.” My voice is soft, a little uncertain.

“Okay.” He smiles at me.

Relief flows through me that he’s being cool with all this. I need to make a hasty retreat before I change my mind and give him my number. I walk over to Tessa. “Ready?” I ask brightly.

She’s laughing at something Quint said, but she turns to me. She must see something on my face because her face sobers.“Yeah. It was so nice to officially meet you guys. Bye.” The guys call out goodbyes, and we start towards our dorm.

“Evie.” I turn back to Zane. “I’m not going to give up.” I stare at him for just a moment and then turn around and keep going.

“Not going to give up what?” Tessa asks. I just shake my head. “What was that?” she whispers loudly.

“Nothing.”

She stops and gives me a look, but I tug on her arm to keep us moving. She looks behind us and then stops me. “Evie, what was he saying that he’s not going to give up?”

Realizing I’m not going to get out of this, I cave. “He asked for my number.”

Her eyes go comically wide. “Zane Blackwood asked for your number?” she shrieks.

“Shh.”

“Did you give it to him?” she whisper-asks.

“No.”

She blinks in shock. “No? Why in the star-filled cosmos not?”

I frown at her question because who even says that? “Tessa, I’m going on a date on Saturday. With Jace.”

“So?”

I stare at her. “I’m going on a date with Jace. Why would I get another guy’s number?”

“Evie, he’s just asking for your number. He's not asking you to marry him. That’s what friends do; they get each other’s numbers. What if he just wanted to text you something?”

Unease flows through me.Should I have gotten his number? “No, I’m going out with Jace. I’m not going to do that to him.”

“You’re giving up a chance to get Zane Blackwood’s number, so you can go out with Jace?” the tone of her voice leaves no doubt about how she feels about that.

“Yes.” I start towards our dorm. I’ve got to get back and get ready for the week. “It may not make sense to you, but it does tome. I committed to going on this date with Jace. I wouldn’t want him getting some other girl’s number between now and then.”

“I get it,” Tessa says, releasing a sigh. “You’re a good person. And yeah, it’s the right thing to do.”

I laugh at the way she says it. “You don’t sound very happy.”