Free Romancing the R.A. (Campus Crush series) by Ashelyn Drake Page A

“Oh my God, that’s good. Your omelet restaurant is going to be a huge success.”
                 
    “Thanks.” He looks up at the clock by the entrance. “I wish I could stay, but I have swim practice.”
                 
    “Oh, right.” I don’t want to be one of those girls he mentioned earlier who can’t handle his commitment to the team, but I have so little time left with him. “Is it okay if I text you before I go. I’d like to say goodbye. Unless…” I hope I don’t sound too pathetic. “Unless you’d rather just say goodbye now.”
                 
    He pulls a pen out of his pocket and rips the napkin with my number in half, writing his on the other side and handing it to me. “I’ll be offended if you don’t at least text me to say goodbye.”
                 
    I take the napkin and force a smile. It’s stupid. I just met him, but no part of me wants to leave him right now.
                 
    “Go finish eating, and good luck on your exams.” He squeezes my hand and kisses me softly on the lips before walking away.
                 
    I watch him go, already feeling an emptiness in the pit of my stomach. Julia comes up next to me and puts her arm around my shoulders. “Wow. He couldn’t be more perfect for you.” She grabs my omelet from the counter and walks me to a table. I can’t even taste the delicious food. I just want Andy to come back.
                 
    After a semi-brief send off speech from Dean Decker, I do my best to focus on my exams. I struggle a little with the math, but that’s nothing new for me. Math has never been my subject. But the English essay is easy. I can write essays in my sleep. I finish early and motion to Julia that I’ll wait for her outside. After turning in my blue book, I pull Andy’s number from my pocket and text him.
                 
    Finished. Can you meet me by the Newman building?
                 
    I wait and wait, but no response. My eyes sting with the threat of tears. Julia comes out and looks around. “Where is he?”
                 
    “Swim practice. He must be in the water and isn’t getting my text.”
                 
    Julia sits on the stairs, patting the spot next to her. “Then we’ll wait.”
                 
    I sit, but I’m not that hopeful. We can’t sit here all day. I’d look pathetic. I watch the minutes tick by on my cell, each one making my heart sink a little lower into my stomach. Why did I have to fall for Andy so quickly? I shouldn’t be in this situation, praying he’ll show up so I don’t have to feel like the slutty freshman who hooked up on her first night at college. No wait, I’m not even technically in college yet.
                 
    “Holy shit!” Julia stands up, pulling me with her. “Look!”
                 
    Andy is running across the quad wearing nothing but a Speedo.
                 
    “Oh my God!” My heart races as Andy runs to me—my knight in shining Speedo—to erase my fears.
                 
    “I told you he’s perfect for you. Any guy willing to run practically naked across campus for you is a keeper.” Julia smiles at me. “I’ll meet you at the car.”
                 
    I give her a quick thank you and turn to Andy running up the steps. He’s out of breath when he reaches me.
                 
    “You ran across campus…” my eyes lower, “in nothing but a Speedo.”
                 
    “I had to say goodbye to you in person.”
                 
    To hell with looking pathetic. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him, not caring that he’s dripping wet.
                 
    When we finally pull apart, he looks into my eyes. “Just so you know, I plan to use your number.”
                 
    “That’s why I gave it to