He sighed and gripped the hair on the top of his head for a brief second before pounding the desk with his open palms. “Fine. If you want my opinion, he’s probably found another girl. College guys are notorious for being players.”

I felt my face fall and looked away.

“So you don’t think a college guy could fall hopelessly in love with me and end up asking me to marry him?”

“I didn’t say that, Els. I said this particular guy isn’t really sounding like he’s very interested.”

I nodded and turned my body away from Kent’s. Maybe he was the wrong person to ask. He was, after all, a guy who fell hard for the first girl who showed any interest in him at all. Well, for the first pretty, rich girl who had. I had shown interest way before that, but he’d ignored me.

“Well, let’s say for the sake of the argument that he was interested in me, or at least that I wanted to try to surprise him with something special. Do you have any ideas or…?” I felt Kent’s eyes on me but I didn’t dare look up to meet his gaze. It was embarrassing enough without him seeing the desperation in my eyes.

“I’m probably not the best guy to ask. I’d be happy enough just to have you at all. I wouldn’t need anything extra.” My head whipped towards him and he shook his head, putting his hands up defensively, “I mean, if I was into you. If you were more than a friend, you know.”

I nodded and looked away, my hopeful heart deflated once again. Yeah, that sounded about right.

“Great. Well, thanks for nothing,” I said.

He groaned softly, “What do you want me to say, Elly? Show up at his door wearing sexy lingerie?”

I thought about that for a moment before turning in my seat, a large smile on my lips. “You’re a genius!” I was still smiling when the lights went down and the professor started the day’s lecture.

I tightened the tie at the waist of the ankle-length coat I wore and exhaled slowly, trying to get the courage to knock on Will’s door. I could hear his TV playing on the other side of the door but not much else. He was probably studying. I turned to leave, I could just talk to him later.

I shook my head and turned back around. I was here and in the new black lace teddy I’d bought between classes earlier. I lifted my hand and knocked loudly on his door. I waited a beat, and the tried for the knob. It was unlocked, so I went inside, maybe he was in the bathroom and I could surprise him with me on his bed.