Not Even Close (A New Generation) by Elizabeth Reyes (sight word books .txt) 📕

. . . I don’t know,wondering if it has anything to do with me looking like a sweaty pig this timeas opposed to the first two times.”

Now Xochitl scoffed. “Girl, sweaty or not you’re killing thatworkout outfit. If not a fight, we caught Mr. Duplicity readying himself for anintense workout. Did you get a load of the muscle on the guy? You don’t getmuscle like that unless you work out hard.”

Xochitl pointing out Byron’s impressive muscle only warmed Vannah’sface further. Despite having clammed up and having only kept her eyes on his,again, she’d seen plenty of photos of him online to know he had a body mostwomen would salivate over. But clearly, he was way out of her league and herreaction to him each time was further proof of that. Besides, she had nobusiness even thinking of getting her hopes up about him or any guyfor that matter. Reminding herself what her real focus should be on—her grades whilestill enjoying her time in college—she attempted to change the subject.

“So, what did we decide? Yay or nay on Frat Row Friday?”

“What?” Xochitl turned to her. “How can you even think of thatwhen what just happened, happened?”

“What happened?” Vannah asked nervously knowing full wellher friend would be calling her out on her indifference about seeing Byronagain.

Xochitl rolled her eyes shaking her head. “Oh, cut the crap, Vannah.He may not have smiled this time, but he’s obviously drawn to you. I may aswell be invisible for all the attention I’ve gotten from him in each instancethat we’ve seen him. His eyes have zoomed in directly at you each time, andhe’s never the least bit subtle about it, either.”

Attempting to make less of it because her belly was tighteningnow that Xochitl was saying out loud, the very thing Vannah had begun to think,she shrugged. “If there was really any interest don’t you think he would’veapproached me by now?” Before her friend could argue Vannah went on quickly. “Besides.”She lifted her chin. “He’s older and likely not into college freshman who are justlooking to have some no-strings-attached fun.”

“Oh, my God. What planet have you been living on?” Her friendscoffed as they walked out the front doors of the gym. “Any man, no matter whatage, would be into a sexy college freshman. Especially if they’relooking for a no-strings-attached, hot and sweaty fling.” Xochitl turned to Vannah,eyes wide open. “But come to think of it. You were with Matt that day atStarbucks. Maybe he thinks you’re unavailable.”

Vannah shook her head as her insides got even tighter becausethat thought had occurred to her, even before today. She felt too silly to evenshare with Xochitl, but she’d been secretly disappointed that the moment herand Byron’s eyes had met at Starbucks had been the moment she’d been wiping thewhip cream off Matt’s lip.

“Think about it, Vannah,” Xochitl went on with even more conviction.“Maybe Matt’s the reason why there was no smile this time.” This time her tooexcitable friend stopped and looked back toward the doors of the gym. “Maybe youshould approach him.”

Grabbing her friend’s arm and nudging her along before she got anycrazier ideas, Vannah shook her head. “No way.”

“Why not?”

“Are you insane?” Vannah continued to tug her friend alongtoward her car even as her heart’s thudding sped up with every step she took.“I freeze up just looking at the man. You expect me to just waltz backin there and actually start up a conversation with him?”

“It’s a gym, Vannah. Wouldn’t be unheard of to try and strike upa conversation with someone who catches your eye. Especially someone whose eye you’veobviously caught.”

The moment they were close enough to her car, Vannah clicked thedoors open so she could jump in as quickly as possible. Even as Xochitl climbedinto the passenger side she was still going on with the now unnerving topic. “Okay,I get it. You’re shy and not used to approaching guys—”

“Men. This isn’t even a guy, Xochitl.” Vannah turned tolook back as she pulled out of the parking space, giving her friend a hard lookin the process. “This is a grown ass man we’re talking about. A college grad sevenyears older than me. Not to mention he’s a very hot man. One who likelyhas women, not little eighteen-year-old college freshman girls throwingthemselves at him.”

“Oh, I can guarantee you that man has plenty of college girlsthrowing themselves at him too.” Xochitl retorted, though her comment didn’thelp—at all. “But who said anything about you throwing yourself at him? I justmeant you go up to him and introduce yourself—”

“Would you?” Vannah turned to face her equally timid friend whenthey came to a stop. “Would you be willing or even able to just go up tohim and introduce yourself if you were in my position?”

That stumped Xochitl just as Vannah expected. Slumping her shoulderswith a sigh, Xochitl turned to face forward. “Probably not.”

“Absolutely not and you know it.”

“I know.” Xochitl turned back to face her just as the lightturned green. “Frat Row Friday. Let’s do it. Let’s go there tonight and practiceour approach to guys. Maybe then you can work up the nerve to eventuallytalk to this guy.”

Breathing in deeply, Vannah let out an exasperated but much-neededlaugh. “Practice our approach?”

“Yeah, yeah. Granted approaching drunken frat boys will be far lessintimidating than approaching someone like this guy but it’s a start.” Xochitl pulledher phone out of the glove compartment. “I’ll invite Clarissa and Sylvia. Sylviacan get her sister to buy us some booze. This way we can loosen up a little.We’ll make a game out of it and take turns. You know Clarissa will be down andafter a few drinks so will Sylvia.”

Just like that, it was settled. They’d be practicing theirapproach tonight, though Vannah knew there was no chance in hell she’d everapproach Byron. She was certain her awkward ass would make a complete fool ofherself if she ever tried. But Xochitl didn’t have to know that. Vannah hadbeen curious about Frat Row Fridays ever since she heard of it. She’d focus onthis instead of her friend’s belly-tightening theory about why Byron hadn’tsmiled today.