Page 23 of The Devastation You Reap

"I can walk with you."

I smile, appreciating his offer and more than willing to get to know him a little better. He's definitely much more my type, and the kind of guy I should be having coffee with, that's for sure.

"Yeah, that sounds good."

He packs everything back up and stands.He's not as tall as Nathan or Leon, but he's still over a head taller than me.

"After you then, Macie."

"Thank you," I murmur, taking a step forward as he falls into step beside me.

We fall into easy conversation about classes and college life as we make our way to the coffee shop and Micah insists on buying me a hot chocolate with all the extras and all too soon we're walking toward my building.

"Thank you for this, it was nice."

"Oooh," he says with a wince. As our time has gone on both of us have relaxed a little and lost our initial shyness.

"What?"

I don't hear anyone approach but I sure as hell feel him when he wraps his arm around my waist and drags me into his body.

"Thanks for walking my girl home, Micah. Appreciate it."

"What the hell?" I gasp, attempting to pull myself away from Leon's side but failing miserably against his strong grip.

"We've got a date, remember, Red."

"Oh n-no we don't. He's talking bullshit, he's not—"

"You really should go and drop your bags off. Maybe pick up an overnight one."

"What?" I screech, finally removing myself from his body. "Micah, no. Please don't listen to him."

Micah looks between the two of us but it's clear that he and Leon know each other.

"Have a great night," he says, finally ripping his eyes from Leon's to mine. He gives me a sad smile before taking off. "See you around, Macie."

He's gone before I get to say anything.

"What the hell?" I snap, irritated that he's not only turning up when I don't want him to but ruining a potential date that I might actually want.

"You dropping your bags off and getting changed or are you coming like that?"

"I'm not going anywhere with you."

"But our date. I've planned it and everything." His green eyes twinkle with excitement and I will the butterflies that want to take flight in my belly away. Where the hell were they when I was talking to Micah anyway?

"Then go and find a jersey chaser to impress and leave me alone."

He takes a step forward and I take a huge one back.

"I don't need to impress jersey chasers, Macie. And they're not really interested in dates outside of the bedroom."

"Really?" I deadpan.

"Humor me. Just one night."

"You already had one. I'm still far from impressed."