Friday
We duck into the door underneath the flickering Billards sign. Bash asked me out tonight for our "official second date". After handing me a wooden pole he walks over to the table and begins placing the balls into a triangle. His slim henley top rides up giving me quite the view of his abdomen. I have to hold back a sigh.
"I wish I didn't know how to play so you could wrap your arm around me and show me," I murmur hugging my cue stick.
He lifts the rack from the table his one eyebrow raising.
"Oh really?" He says suggestively his voice low and sultry. He drops the rack to advance toward me.
"Wait um," I whisper now nervous at my forwardness. My mind really doesn't think before speaking anymore. He hugs me from behind wrapping his arms comfortably around my waist.
"I was just teasing," I whisper as his body heat envelops me. His head falls into the curve of my neck and he brushes his lips against my skin. My eyes involuntarily close and I shiver.
"Well I really liked that idea," he teases back. I snap out of it laughing and lightly push him away to clear my thoughts.
"Please, you're just trying to throw me off so you have an advantage."
His jaw drops but then a slow smirk forms. "Ahh, I see how it is. We are going to play it that way." He shakes his head grinning. "Alright, Emma let's make this interesting then. Let's make a bet."
I cross my arms and smile smugly. "And what will I win?"
He steps closer chuckling. "Well, what do you want to win?"
My mock arrogance vanishes. I don't want anything. I got everything I want. Him. School. I nibble on my lip and he gazes at me expectantly. "Okay, I want an answer to a question."
He tilts his head observing me. "I like that. Ok if you win, which is very unlikely, however," he says in jest, "you can ask me any question and if I win I get to do the same."
I nod my head. "Sounds like a deal." He puts out his hand and I shake it grinning amusedly. We both take our turns starting the game and I settle with solids and he takes stripes.
"I am bummed I don't have epidemiology again for the spring semester," I say moving around the table to find a better angle for my shot.
"You talk about this class a lot. Why don't you just change your major to that," he answers watching me.
I shoot...and miss. "I can't," I deadpan.
He goes for his turn and dunks a striped ball and repeats for his second turn. "Why not Emma?"
"Well because..." I say hesitantly.
"Exactly. College is about changing your mind."
I swallow. "You know why I can't. My parents want me to be a doctor," I reason.
He puts his pole down directing his attention back to me. "Your parents aren't the ones who will have to be a doctor for the next forty years. Do what you want. Only you." He grabs my hand and kisses each finger. I giggle at his corniness.
"Okay. Alright," I answer and finally take my turn.
"You know you don't have to be so hard on yourself and limit yourself to all these rules. You are allowed to change your mind. I even have an interview on Monday for my major change."
"Wait, what?" I prop my wooden stick against the wall and go up next to him. "You changed your major?"
He smiles earnestly. "Yep. I switched my major to Psychology and going to pursue Addiction Studies and Substance Abuse."
I cannot stop myself from smiling back hugely. "Wow, that is so exciting Bash!" I can envision him helping those like his father. "That is perfect Bash. I can picture you doing that, honestly."
"Yeah. I think I could like it, but I need to see how it goes first."
"You'll be great Bash. I know it," I tell him sincerely.
He beams back. "Thanks Emma."
I suddenly notice he only has one ball left. Damnit! He's going to win because he's been distracting me all this time. I scrutinize him as he readies himself for the score. Fine, I am going to play his sly way. I slide up next to him wrapping my arms around him.
His breath sharpens at my touch, but he continues to line himself up a lot slower than before. I start to trail kisses along his neck. He pulls back his hand for his winning shot and I go for the kill kissing the corner of his lips. His hand jerks and he misses, the black 8 ball falling into the pocket he was not aiming for. He sharply twists around to me and I fall back worried I took it too far. But all he does is crookedly grin at me.
"I can't even be mad," he responds with a laugh and bends down to finish the kiss I started. I immediately become entranced. I still can't over this and I don't think I ever will. He is intoxicating. He kisses one last peck on my lips before curling his finger underneath my chin to tilt it up. "So cheater, what question do you want to ask?"
"Okay, now I am totally feeling guilty I cheated," I admit sheepishly.
"I'm not," he chuckles under his breath. "Ask away."
"Alright," I clear my throat. "When did you first start to like me more than a friend?"
"Oh, right for the jugular then." His hand flies to his chest.
I laugh rolling my eyes. "Come on, that's not even that bad."
He leans on top of his cue stick. "Middle school."
My eyebrows shoot up. "Middle school?" I say incredulously.
"Yep. I was a hormonal boy and you were the prettiest girl I knew, but I knew even back then you were too good for me."
I continue to stare at him stunned. "I was not too good for you."
He shrugs. "You still are."
"That's-that's the most ridiculous statement I ever heard. If I ever hear it again I will punch you."
He laughs hard. "Alright then. I won't repeat it."
I tuck a curl behind my ear. "Since I cheated you can ask your question."
"Yeah?"
I nod. He reaches out and gently laces our fingers together.
"Okay mine is worse than yours." He swallows and takes a scary long pause. "Emma, would you like to be my girlfriend?"
My cheeks heat faster than I can stop them. "Um definitely. Yes, I would."
He crookedly smiles. "It's not too fast right?"
"No, it's not."
"Good," he breathes relieved. "I have been dying to ask you since New Year's."
"Really? Why?"
He leans down, "Because I am selfish and do not want to share you." His hands go to the small of my back and he pulls me snugly against him and I curve into him. He presses his lips to mine, a heat uncoiling low in my stomach.
***
Monday
I shut the door to Sebastien's place and take the path back to my dorm. We are finally back on campus for the spring semester. I just finished a mindfulness extra credit session with Sebastien, the one I promised I would help him with. It was more filled with kissing than mindfulness, but we still got what we needed to get done. And now I can't wipe a stupid grin off my face. I nearly skipped back to my dorm. My email notification buzzes and I glance down.
Hello Ms. Barnes,
Apologies for the late response. I received your resume and I would be happy to have you on my team for my research in my epidemiology lab. Let me know if this is something you are still interested in. Thanks!
I freeze in place. I got the research position. I reread the email over and over not believing it. I go to dial Sebastien with the news when a shrill voice stops me.
"You conniving little bitch!"
Oh, no. My back goes rigid. I know that voice. I gulp and cautiously spin around.
***
*author's note*
I am writing this at 1am haha. Any guesses on who Emma is about to see?? Send a vote if you like Emma & Sebastien's dates!
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