“Hey,” I said, wanting to run around the counter to hug him but feeling as if that time was over. Hugging him when his uncle had just passed was okay, but now it seemed … different. So I stayed put behind the counter.

“Morning. Just got back and I need a black coffee with a chocolate-chip muffin.”

“Coming right up,” I said, holding up my hand to stop him from getting out money. “This is on me. A welcome-back breakfast. I can’t cook like my momma, but I can buy your coffee and muffin.”

“I sure am gonna miss your momma’s cooking,” he said. “And thank you.”

“You can come home with us anytime. And you’re welcome.”

Isla walked out of the back and paused when she saw Slate. She knew about his uncle now and she wasn’t so focused on his man-whore ways. “Hey,” she said, blushing as she spoke to him.

“Hello. Isla, isn’t it?” he said, smiling at her. I wondered if he was aware of what that smile did to women. Probably.

“Yeah … uh, how are you?” she asked, leaning on the counter toward him.

I started to make his coffee and warm his muffin because it didn’t look like Isla was going to be helping me.

“Getting by. Thanks,” he replied.

“You, or, uh, if you need anything. I’d be happy to help,” she said.

This was not the Isla I was used to. For starters, her flirting was normally much better than that. I wanted to laugh, but I didn’t. I understood that Slate was gorgeous. It was hard not to notice.

“Uh, thanks,” he said awkwardly.

She giggled. She actually giggled. “Sure. Anytime.”

I warmed the muffin and hurried back to him before she embarrassed herself any more. She was going to replay this over and over all day and slap herself on the forehead for it. And I was going to have to listen to it.

Walking up behind her, I smiled at Slate and handed him his order. He looked as if he was studying me. Looking for something. I wasn’t sure what that was, but then he turned back to Isla and his expression changed.

“So, what are you doing tonight?”

What?

“Uh, nothing,” she said quickly. “Nothing at all.”

What was he doing? Isla’s flirting was funny, but apparently he liked it. Was he going to use her like he did the others?

“There’s a party at Sigma Kappa. Want to come?”

A party at the frat house? What?

“Yes!” she said almost a little too loudly. “I’d love to!”

“I’ll meet you there at seven,” he replied, then winked before taking his stuff and walking away.

What the hell had just happened?

“Oh. My. God,” she breathed as she turned to look at me. “I guess y’all really are just friends like you said. I wasn’t sure I believed you but I do now. OhmyGod! I am going out with Slate Allen.”

Who was that just now? The guy I had gotten to know wasn’t what I’d just witnessed. I had heard of his reputation, but I didn’t really believe it. The Slate I knew had a big heart. Had he not seen how nervous Isla was and how innocent her flirting had been?

“You don’t look happy about this. Are you mad? Do you like him?”

I was frowning at Slate’s retreating form as he headed down the street and out of view. “No. I don’t like him. Actually, I don’t think I know him.” Then I turned and asked the next customer what I could get them.

I was at work. I had a job. I would focus on that. Crawford had already made plans for us this evening. I had been reluctant to go, but I’d said yes.

I didn’t know Slate Allen at all. But I did know Crawford. It was safe to trust what you knew. Crawford had been trying hard to be understanding about Slate and supportive while he called and texted trying to get time with me. The guilt from my behavior since coming to school now sank in.

My feelings for Slate had gotten confused. Wrapped up in him needing me and knowing there was a good guy underneath all that. He would only ever be a friend. That is, if he didn’t use Isla. If he respected her tonight.

Still, my chest ached some. I thought he was different. That he’d changed. I wanted to be right.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

SLATE

WHAT THE FUCK had I been thinking?

I slammed my bag onto the bed and growled in frustration. I had gone to see Vale and invite her to the party tonight. Because I didn’t want to party—I wanted to see her. But when I saw her face, I couldn’t do it. Knox had told me she had a date with Crawford tonight. I couldn’t make her choose one of us. I was terrified it wouldn’t be me.

And damn, she’d been so beautiful. Her long dark hair pulled back in a ponytail, smiling at me like she was thrilled to see me. Those blue eyes of hers were happy. She was like that for me, a form of sunshine that I needed. She made me fucking happy.

Then the other girl had flirted with me and Vale hadn’t seemed to care. She hadn’t been jealous—hell, she’d even smiled about it. And why had I wanted to make her jealous? I didn’t like jealous-ass girls. So Vale wasn’t upset that her friend was flirting. She actually looked like she was trying not to laugh.

That had pissed me off. Damn stupid fucker that I am, I’d asked Isla out to get a reaction from Vale. It had worked. I’d gotten one. One that was going to eat me alive all damn day and night.

Fuck me. I was a bastard. If Uncle D was watching now, he’d be disgusted and calling me a dumbass.

I had to talk to Vale … but what was I supposed to say? I’m sorry? I did that to make you jealous? I couldn’t say that shit, and I couldn’t break this date. I knew Vale well enough to know that she wouldn’t forgive me for hurting her friend. That selflessness of hers was one of the reasons she was special.

Unable to help myself, I texted her.

What are you doing?

Then I waited. If she ignored me, I was going to find her. Wasn’t sure what I’d say, but I’d fucking grovel if I had to.

Studying.

Of course she was. She’d missed a week’s worth of classes for me. And now she was catching up. Like I needed to.

God, I hated myself.

“You ready for tonight?” Knox’s voice filled the room and I felt even more guilty. His family had been so damn good to me and I’d gone and hurt the girl they all adored.

“Yep,” I said, forcing a smile.

He saw the coffee cup in my hand and grinned. “Already seen Vale, then. I know she was happy to have you back. Girl has worried herself sick over you.”

He said it like that was funny. But no one had ever worried themselves sick over me. Uncle D worried about me, but no beautiful female with eyes like the sky had ever given a shit if I was hurting. They wanted to fuck me, but that was where it ended.

“Yeah, I did.”

“I thought about inviting her and Crawford tonight, but I wasn’t sure how that would go with you. I know y’all have gotten close. She’s around you more than Crawford lately—and honestly, that scared the shit out of me at first. But, watching you with her, I trust you. Vale’s hard not to want to move mountains for.”

“I invited her friend at the coffee shop,” I blurted out.

Knox stilled a moment, then looked at me, confused. “Oh” was all he said.

He didn’t need to say more. That simple word was enough.

“I figured it would reassure her I was okay, you know?”