I turn to see a very cute, smaller girl. “And you are?”
“I’m Claire Jacobson.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“She’s my roommate,” Skylar says.
“I’m hoping she’s not a party animal, or someone who is going to have a different boy over every single day. Are you?” Claire asks.
“Not at all.” Skylar is smiling, and I like that.
She needs to learn to smile more.
“I can vouch that she’s a good girl.” I wink at Claire.
“I don’t need you to vouch for her or anything. My instincts are telling me that she’s a good one.” Claire wraps her arm around Skylar’s shoulders. I don’t release her though. Standing behind Skylar, I keep my hand on her hip, waiting. “We’re going to be the best of friends, but right now, I really need to pee. I’ll be right back.”
Skylar turns away from Claire’s retreating back and smiles up at me. “I really like her.”
“You look relieved about that.”
“I am. I was worried that I’d get some girl who liked to party, or had boys making out with her. That’s not what I wanted.” Skylar tucks some of her hair behind her ear, and all it makes me want to do is touch the luscious strands. I clench my hand into a fist at my side and focus on Skylar. Her eyes sparkle as she looks around. “It’s a little different from how I imagined it to be.”
“How did you imagine?” I ask, intrigued.
“I don’t know. This just seems normal, not a lot of crazy things going on. You know, half naked girls or guys.”
“The night is young. You should see what happens when the full moon comes out. A lot of excuses to act crazy.”
She smiles.
No girly giggles that drive me insane.
Excellent.
She is my pretty little Skylar still.
“Come on, walk with me.” I offer my arm, and she takes it. Shooting another glare at the guys looking at her, I take her in the complete opposite direction, away from the party. I want her all to myself where no one can interrupt us. I’ve already made a note to tell those guys to back off. Skylar doesn’t need assholes chasing after her right now. She needs to focus on her studies, and having some fun. I can make sure she gets both.
What the hell am I doing?
Ignoring my own warning, I take her outside to look at the stars.
Skylar laughs. “It’s a full moon so clearly the party is about to get crazy.”
“So, how are you, Skylar?” I ask.
“I’m fine. I can’t believe I’m actually here, you know.”
“Alex and I told your folks we’d take care of you. We won’t let anything happen to you.”
“I’m grateful. They wanted me to stay at home. Do some online courses. I didn’t want to do that though. Alex talked about being in college, and how free it was.”
After admiring the full moon, which is so fucking funny that one was out, I take her around the back of the house. Several couples are making out, and I chance a glance at Skylar to see her ignoring them.
Not wanting to make her uncomfortable, we enter the back yard to where several people are already in the pool.
“Now, this is like in the movies,” she says.