My skin tingled where he'd touched me
Olivia
“He wants me in bed like the other girls…..”
Ashley’s fork stopped halfway to her mouth. She stared at me across the small table we had managed to claim in the crowded campus café.
“Is this about Aiden?”
My fingers tightened around the cup. Hearing his name brought the whole morning rushing back. My car had broken down on the way to campus, and of all people, Aiden was the one who pulled up beside us. He drove my sister and me to school, and during the short ride, he kept bragging about the girl he had recently slept with.
“She moaned so loudly that I had to kiss her...”
“I’m really good in bed...”
“Every girl who’s been with me wants me again...”
Sarah believed every word. She laughed and encouraged him. That was the difference between us. Sarah found him entertaining. I found him exhausting.
But then she rushed out of the car because her class had started, and suddenly it was just us in the car. Aiden reached for my hand, something I wasn’t used to before I could open the door. His warm fingers closed around wrist before I could move. My skin tingled where he'd touched me
He didn’t look away when our eyes met.
“I’ll pick you up after your classes.”
I took a breath and pushed the memory aside. I put my drink down.
“Nothing happened with Aiden. He’s my sister’s best friend. Maybe her crush,” I said.
“I know,” Ashley replied.
“Which means nothing can happen between us.”
Ashley smiled slowly. I knew that smile. Ashley was about to make this worse.
“Interesting.”
I looked at her.
“What?”
“You said nothing can happen. You didn’t say you don’t want anything to happen.”
She paused and looked away.
Thank God. Maybe she’d finally let the subject go.
Less than a minute later, she turned back to me. I knew from the look on her face that she wasn’t done.
“Olivia, you know what I’ve noticed?”
I sighed.
“What?”
“There are so many attractive guys on this campus, and you still spend most of your free time reading books.”
“Books don’t give me headaches.”
“I don’t give you headaches.”
“You absolutely do.”
She laughed.
“Anyway, there’s a party tonight.”
“No.”
“You didn’t even think about it.”
“I don’t need to.”
“You’re coming.”
“I am not.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but her attention suddenly shifted past me.
“Oh.”
I turned around. Nathan was walking towards our table with a tray in his hand. My stomach fluttered, just as it always did when Nathan was near.
He had an easy smile on his face, and when his eyes met mine, he smiled a little wider. Nathan was the sort of guy I should have fallen for. He was kind, quiet, and easy to talk to. He loved books as much as I did, and whenever I was around him, I never felt the need to pretend to be someone else.
With Nathan, I never had to wonder what he meant.
Unlike Aiden.
Nathan stopped beside our table.
“Hey, Olivia.”
“Hi.”
Ashley looked from him to me and immediately noticed the smile I was trying to hide.
Nathan pulled out the empty chair beside us.
“I heard your car broke down.”
I glanced at Ashley. She lifted both hands innocently.
“I told him.”
Nathan laughed softly.
“I was wondering if you needed a ride home.”
For a moment, I couldn’t answer.
Nathan was offering to take me home. The guy I’d liked since the beginning of the semester.
This was what I had wanted for months. I could already picture it: talking about books during the drive, complaining about our classes, maybe finding a reason to sit outside my house for a few extra minutes before saying goodbye.
Then, without warning, Aiden’s face appeared in my mind. His hand wrapped around my arm. His eyes watching me through the mirror. His voice telling me he would pick me up after class.
Guilt twisted in my stomach.
Why was I thinking about Aiden when Nathan was standing right in front of me?
Nathan was still waiting, his smile patient and kind.
“You don’t have to say yes,” he said gently. “I just thought I’d offer.”
I looked at him.
Nathan was easy. Safe. I knew exactly where I stood with him.
I should have said yes.
Instead, I heard myself say, “I already have a ride.”
Ashley gave me a look. I wanted to take the words back immediately. Because I didn’t actually have a ride. Not yet. But Aiden had promised he would come. And for some reason, I already believed him.
Nathan nodded slowly. His smile disappeared for a second, then returned.
“Okay. Maybe another time.”
“Yeah,” I said weakly. “Maybe.”
He gave me a small smile before turning and disappearing through the café doors. I watched him walk away, regret twisting inside me.
He was everything I should want.
So why wasn’t I running after him?
Ashley’s eyes narrowed.
“Who are you waiting for?”
Before I could answer, my phone vibrated against the table.
Aiden: I’m outside.
Ashley leaned closer.
“Is that him?”
“No,” I lied out of pure instinct.
“Olivia.”
I sighed, the lie crumbling.
“Yes.”
She grinned, but there was something cautious behind it.
“I knew it.”
I pushed my chair back, but Ashley caught my wrist. Her grip was light but firm.
“If he’s waiting outside, why didn’t he just call you?”
“I don’t know.”
My phone vibrated again.
Aiden: Don’t make me come inside and get you.
