Free To Love a Player by Gjoe Uzor Page A

about." She let out a bubbly laugh while shaking her head. I grinned, shrugging my shoulder as we got back to work, stopping every now and then to quiz each other on things we knew were going to be on the final.
     
    "How are things with your boyfriend?" I asked, not sure if I wanted to know the answer or not. Mollie inhaled a frustrated sigh and answered in a flat voice, "Fine."
     
    "They don't sound fine," I said, giving her a concerned look. Her eyes met mine as she studied me for a minute. I could tell she was debating whether she wanted to open up to me or not. I reached over and patted her knee as I said, "You can talk about anything with me, I want you to know that. We're friends, remember?"
     
    She nodded, letting out a soft sigh and said, "He went to Boston over the weekend to look at a loft apartment that he is sharing with three other people and didn't tell me that one of those people is his ex."
     
    "What does Ben have to say?" I asked, trying to keep my voice even when I said his name. I definitely was going to punch him for being a jerk. Mollie rested her head on the back of the couch as she replied, "Other than apologizing and promising to be a better boyfriend, not a whole lot. He says they are just friends and it's not a big deal, but I've been having some issues with him lately, not answering my calls or texts, and while I know that he's been super busy trying to get this internship, I just feel like I'm slipping down on his priority list."
     
    Good news for me, I thought happily, biting back the giddy smile that was trying to slip out. I cleared my throat, shaking my head to try to get rid of the excitement rising up.  She gave me a strange look and I quickly swallowed backa  smile.  I attempted a sympathetic look—successfully—and she smiled back at me gratefully.
     
    I stared intensely in her eyes as I leaned over and caressed her face, "You deserve to be at the top of anyone's priority list. If he lets you fall, then it's his loss."
     
    She leaned her head against my palm and I stroked her face with my thumb. The electricity between us crackled in the air. She slowly gave me a warm smile that made my heart quicken and said in a soft voice, "Thanks, Cal."
     
    I nodded silently, our eyes still locked on each other's. All of a sudden, I wanted to cup her face in both of my hands, pull her to me and feel the softness of her full lips on mine. I wanted to taste the creaminess of her skin along her soft jaw line. I wanted to tangle my fingers in her hair and press up against her. I wanted to hold her in my arms and never let go. Sex didn't matter, I just wanted to kiss her and kiss her until I couldn't anymore. My eyes broke away from hers as I watched her throat move as she swallowed nervously and I wondered if she was thinking the same thing.
     
    We heard someone clear their throat next to us, causing both of us to jump apart. Mollie's roommate was looking at us with a knowing smile on her face as she stood with her arms folded across her chest. She smirked as she asked, "Moll, are you all done here?"
     
    Mollie looked at me and nodded, putting her stuff in her bag. I ran a hand through my hair and watched her silently. She slung her bag over her shoulder and said quietly, "See you in class. Good luck, Cal."
     
    "You too, Mollie." I said and she gave me a soft smile before walking away. Marnie cast me another look over her shoulder. I waved at her and smiled as she began to talk excitedly with Mollie as they disappeared from sight.
     

Mollie
    "What did I interrupt?" Marnie asked me as soon as we were out of earshot. I shrugged, still lost in thought from the intensity of Callen's eyes. It was as though I could read every one of his thoughts through them and it scared me to death. I could see that he was thinking about kissing me and I knew that was what I wanted him to do. I wondered what his soft lips would feel like on mine, his hands in my hair, his arms tight around my waist. I felt