There was silence while I wondered what to do next. To say next. Until…I didn’t have to.

“You—you were the most beautiful girl in East Brooklyn High. Since the day I saw you struggling with your locker on the first day of senior year. I know you carried all your books for the first week of school because you couldn’t get that damn thing open. And I wanted to offer to carry them for you.”

I frowned and a smile cracked my lips. The first real one I’d had all day.

“But something about the new girl is always scary. You wonder where she’s from, if she had a huge boyfriend back home who could crush you—I waited too long, I guess.”

I opened the stall door tentatively and looked up at him. His eyes startled me. He seemed hurt for me, like he’d wanted to stop my pain even back then.

If only he knew my pain had nothing to do with him. With that in my mind again, I shook off whatever the hell he was making me feel pressed on with words that felt so wrong, it hurt to say. “We would have been amazing that night.”

He cocked his head as if I hadn’t been listening. “Harper.”

I pulled him into the stall. “We could be amazing tonight. I’ve learned a thing or two about what men like.” I stripped off his shirt and leaned into him. He smelled like Irish spring rather than someone who’d just played a hockey game.

“Harper.”

My name rolled off his lips like a thirsty man begging for water. Gruff and desperate.

His mouth was a breath away and I was more tempted to close that distance than I was to get what I came for. His breathing was heavy and his hands were tight on my waist. Just when I thought one more kiss couldn’t hurt my mission, Troy spoke.

“What do you want?” His jaw locked as if he were angry that I was throwing myself at him.

“What I missed out on.” I stepped back and perked my lip. “Seeing you naked.”

“What?”

“That’s my one regret. That I had the chance to see the great Troy Hartman naked, and I’d missed my shot.”

“That’s all?”

I laughed, but it was mostly to release all the pent-up nerves. “Well yeah, did you think I’d have sex with you in the men’s bathroom?”

“I didn’t know what to think. I mean maybe my head would be working better if I didn’t drink more than my limit tonight, but—”

“No photos, Troy.” I held up my hand. “Scout’s honor.” I lifted my purse and pushed it under the stall for good measure.

He rubbed his eyes and groaned. “This is beyond immature and…well, it’s something my brother would do…so no I’m not—”