BEST FRIEND’S BROTHER

Sasha’s lips curled into a hard line. “What are you doing here, Kaleb?” she asked with a frown. “Are you stalking me?”

Kaleb smirked, “You wish?” he said, “I am not a coward, Sasha, so I don’t stalk people. I walk up to them and say hello. Just like I’m doing right now.” he paused, “Hello Miss Sullivan. How are you doing today?”

Sasha wanted to slap that arrogant smirk right off his face. The audacity of this man. It was strange because it annoyed her and yet amused her at the same time.

“So it’s a coincidence that you’re here in my lecture hall… At the same time that I’m supposed to be having a lecture?”

“Maybe it is a coincidence” he replied smugly, “You know… It could just be the universe doing its thing. Who are we to stand in the way?”

Sasha scoffed, “The universe?” she repeated, “You don’t really believe in things like that, do you?”

Kaleb shrugged, “Would it be such a bad thing if I did?”

Sasha had had enough. She slammed her book shut with more force than necessary. “Stop playing games with me, Kaleb” she said, shooting daggers at him with her eyes, “And stop answering my questions with another question. Now tell me what the hell you are doing here. If you are looking for Tilly, you should know that even though we attend the same school, we’re not in the same department or studying the same course so she is not here. I’m telling you just in case you’ve forgotten how school works. I wouldn’t be surprised… Given how old you are, I’m sure things worked differently in your time.”

Kaleb grinned, “You know, for a beautiful lady like you, you say some really hurtful things. It’s not nice to call people old, you know. Are you that way with everyone or is it just me?”

“That’s another question. I swear to god, Kaleb…. I will-”

“Okay.. Okay. Calm down tigress. Fine. I didn’t come to see Tilly. I’m here to see you”

Sasha tried not to react to this information even if her stupid, little heart did a weird dance, “And why is that?” she said instead.

“I can’t visit a friend?” he asked, and when Sasha raised an eyebrow, he added, “Yeah sorry… Another question. I can’t help it, they just keep coming. Look, I would really want us to have that dinner. I would have called but I had a feeling that you wouldn’t pick up”

Sasha contemplated telling him that he was wrong. That she was already thinking of calling him when he arrived, but she decided that it was better if he didn’t have that information. The man was arrogant enough already and it wouldn’t do her any good to add to it. He definitely didn’t need an ego boost.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said.

“Why not?” he asked.

Sasha wanted to scream. What the hell did he mean by why not? What part of ‘ you have a girlfriend’ did he not understand?

“What time do you finish classes today?” he asked, without waiting for her reply.

Sasha looked away from him. “It’s not just the classes. I have to work later in the day and I’ll be very tired afterwards. I won’t be able to go out after all that”

Kaleb nodded, “What if I come over and help you” he suggested, “Just like I did the other day”

She was going to be alone with him, Sasha thought. Hell no. She shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, either, Kaleb”

He frowned, “You keep saying no to everything I say. Are you avoiding me, Sasha?”

How dare he make such an assumption! Yeah, it was true, but how dare he! “I don’t have any reason to do that” she lied, “I just think it would be better if you don’t come”

“Did I do a bad job the other day?”

“No. You are perfect… I mean.. You were perfect. Oh Kaleb, can you please just stop asking me all these questions” she said. “Why do you have to be so stubborn?”

“Look who’s talking. This is a case of a pot calling the kettle black” He chuckled, then leaned closer, and said softly, “Please say yes, Sasha. It’s just dinner. I won’t be a nuisance. I promise”

Sasha closed her eyes, inhaling the amazing scent of him and his aftershave. “Fine. You can pick me up at my place by nine in the evening. You better be early because I’d like to go home early too.”

Kaleb smiled triumphantly, like a toddler who just received a new toy, “I will be there. Just forward your address to me”Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Sasha opened her mouth to say something, but her professor walked in that very moment and Kaleb grinned, “Ah… Ah… Ah” he said, and placed his index finger on her lips to shut her up, “You don’t want to be noisy during the lecture, do you?”

Asshole! Sasha murmured and as she brushed his finger away, willing the tingling to stop. She tried to pay attention to the man in front of the class. She expected Kaleb to leave, but he made no effort to stand at all. She struggled for five minutes before she couldn’t take it anymore.

“Don’t you have other places to be right now?” she asked, without looking at him.

“Unfortunately, I do” Kaleb right, “I just stayed to make sure I was right about what I said earlier…. and I was right. Your professor is indeed very boring. If I had to sit here like you do, who knows what I’d do, but don’t worry about that. You have me all to yourself tonight and I’ll show you a good time.”

He stood before she could reply, and walked out… Leaving nothing but the lingering scent of his perfume.

“So arrogant,” Sasha murmured, but she couldn’t deny the fact that she also found him and his attitude very amusing. That proved her suspicions.

She was crazy….

————-

Kaleb showed up at nine that evening, and Sasha smiled when she heard his car outside. Right on time, she said to herself, and not a minute late. That was a good thing. Too bad he was already in a relationship. She told herself that repeatedly.

He’s not available….. She had to remember that.