“I can’t.” I looked down further, taking note of his cowboy boots.

“Why not?”

“I don’t date men who listen to country music. It’s against my values.” His laughter vibrated through me and I clutched my notebook tighter, sure that I was going to faint if he kept hitting on me. He was hot, like really hot.

“Imagine my luck. I stopped listening to it this morning. Went cold turkey.”

“Sounds like you’ll be in a sour mood then and not good company for dinner,” I said.

He laughed again, and I nearly melted. “You’re really gonna make a cowboy beg?” He kept his hands on the doorway and leaned forward, speaking lowly into my ear. The hot breath accompanying his words sent tingles between my thighs. “I’ll do it, pretty girl. Please don’t embarrass us further. It’s just dinner.”

“Okay, fine.” I stepped back and tried to act as if I weren’t affected. “I’ll meet you a Mexicali at nine tonight. Don’t be late.”

He winked at me and then made his way past me, purposely brushing his arm against my chest as he passed, heading for an empty seat. I felt his eyes on me as I left the lecture hall and I couldn’t shake the smile he’d put on my face.

Chapter Six

Mexicali was terrific, and it paved the way for several more dates with Mr. Will, the cowboy. I waited for him after every Art History class just so I could make out with him for a few brief minutes before he had to disappear into the lecture hall for his PoliSci class. The chemical touches from Kent only warmed me up for the giant sparks that flew between Will and I.

I made sure he bought me at least three dinners before hopping in the sack with him. Three weeks passed and as suddenly as it’d started he’d stopped calling. He made out with me before class Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but blew me off when I tried to make plans with him in the evenings.

I figured he was just losing interest, so I did what any girl would do… I asked my male friend for advice.

“Kent, I don’t get it. What am I doing wrong? Will and I we were close, you know? And suddenly he just… stopped.” I studied Kent’s face, noted that his jaw was clenched tightly.

“Elly, I love you, you know that but, I really don’t want to talk about this stuff with you.”

I frowned and pouted. “Would you rather I talk to some other guy about it? How embarrassing would that be? Come on, Kent. I’m asking for your advice, as a dude. I value your opinion.”