“Oh god. I’m not sure,” I croak.

The deep reverberations of his chuckle make my belly tighten. What is it about him? And I can’t even remember what he looks like, dammit!

“It’s not that bad, really.”

“Okay, what?”

“You wanted to know what a guy like me was doing at a party like that. I said I was hanging out with Ben. Then you wanted particulars. I told you what I did and you whispered in my ear that if I were a gynecologist, you’d never come to my office for a visit for fear you’d embarrass yourself during the exam.”

Jesus Christmas. I cover my face with a pillow. I’m way past mortified and don’t know what to say.

“Cate, are you there?”

“Uuuggghhh,” I groan. This is worse than I expected.

“It was pretty damn cute, I have to say.”

“Did I do anything else that will warp my life forever?”

“Nah, just some things about me being sexy, but I can’t recall the specifics.”

Translation—he doesn’t want to embarrass me any further.

“Sexy? I called you sexy to your face?” The heat in my cheeks will probably melt my skin off.

“You did and turned every shade of red when you realized you said it out loud.”

I try to speak again, but my words are muffled because I’ve buried my face in the pillow again. I sit up and decide to just put it out there.

“So now the question remains—why do you want to go out with a girl who made a fool out of herself the first time you met her?”

“To be completely honest, Cate, I found your frankness refreshing—especially in a beautiful woman like yourself. Even in your slightly inebriated condition, you were witty and sexy. If I could’ve talked you into going home with me, I would have. However, Ben would’ve killed me.”

My mouth curves into a huge grin. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

My body heats with his admission. And this is just a phone conversation. What the heck will he be like in the flesh? “Well then Drew, I look forward to meeting you again.”

“Great. And Cate?”

“Yeah?”

“I promise not to act like a gramps. See you at seven on Saturday.” The humor in his tone is unmistakable.

I’m going to kill Jenna. Very slowly and painfully.

Saturday at seven sharp, my doorbell buzzes. When I open it, I look up into the most beautiful pair of cerulean eyes. They crinkle at the corners when he smiles, and then I get the whole picture. Drew is in no way a gramps. He is definitely smokin’ hot. Sin on a graham cracker, in Jenna’s words. And in mine—a hot fudge sundae, with whipped cream, and a cherry on top, plus chocolate cake with buttercream icing.

Thick wavy sandy brown hair that’s been kissed by the sun caps his head. It’s messy like he just ran his hands through it, but it makes me want to sink my fingers in and play sexy time. In a very bad way. High cheekbones, a nose that’s neither too small nor too large, and lips that make me swallow before drool runs out of my mouth come together to create a beautiful face. Perfect teeth gleam as he continues to grin. This is no average college boy that stands before me. And I’m speechless. How in the hell could I have forgotten a face like this?

“I take it you approve?” Even his voice is perfect. The southern drawl I miss so much living here in the Midwest has me breaking out in a huge grin.

“I’m sorry. I just wanted to see if looking at you would help me remember.” That’s not true and I’m pretty sure he knows it.

He chuckles as I sneak in several more peeks at him. He’s broad-shouldered with a wide chest that tapers down to a narrow waist. My hormones rage like a teenager as I salivate for a look underneath his button down shirt. I’d love to see if he has a six-y or an eight-y. I’m also curious to see his V because I’m damned sure he’s got one. He wears dark jeans that ride low on his hips as they mold to his body. I’d like to ask him to pirouette so I can inspect his ass, but I refrain.

“Well?” His crooked grin only adds to his appeal.

“Okay, I’m busted.” I raise my hands in the air. I’ve always been shy about what I want, and only tell Jenna the truth. I guess what I thought were surreptitious glances weren’t quite as secretive as I intended them to be. What the hell has gotten into me?

He throws back his head and offers me a hearty laugh.

Needing a quick recovery, I sputter, “I thought it only fair, since I was over served at the party and didn’t remember meeting you. I’m sure you had ample opportunity to check me out, so I figured I’d take my chance now.”

He dips his head and says, “I hope I don’t disappoint.”

“Not in the least.” I roll my lip under my teeth. If nothing else, I’m strongly considering a one-night stand. That’s definitely not my style but damn, he’s worth it.

He dampens a grin and I can tell it’s a struggle. “Well then, Ms. Forbes, are you ready to take your chances on dinner with me?” he asks as he offers me his arm.

“Indeed I am.” I grab the small purse with my phone and keys before taking his arm.

After I lock the door, we head off toward a Toyota 4-Runner. It’s not the newest model, but not an old one either. It’s extremely clean, unlike my unorganized and messy Honda Civic. Please don’t let Drew be a neat freak. If he is, he might end up hating me and ending this before we even have a beginning. Oddly, I have a feeling I might be disappointed if that’s the case.

“So, Jenna tells me you’re dual majoring in accounting and journalism.”

“That’s right. And what else did Jenna tell you about me?” I nudge him playfully.

“Don’t blame her. I pestered the hell out of her for days. She was pretty reticent at first until I just wore her out. I should warn you. I can be like that.”

“Oh, not one of those!” I feign shock. It has the desired effect; he laughs.

“Yeah. I had the greatest teacher. My mother.”

“Hmm. At least you’ve given me a heads up.”

“So?”

That one word has me laser focused on his lips. It takes me a second to blink back up to meet his eyes.

“Yeah. Dual major. At first I was solely business, but I wasn’t into it. Then I discovered accounting and love it. And I’ve always had a thing for writing so I figured maybe I could parlay the two into business journalism or work for a large corporation and do business writing. I don’t know yet.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.” His smile is warm and I’m finding it easy to talk to him. I thought I might have to force conversation. Yet I’m vomiting words like I have the stomach flu.

“Or a half-ass one, like my dad says. He thinks I’ll end up with some menial job somewhere.” I laugh and shake my head, thinking about my family.

“Yeah, well parents can either be most resourceful or the biggest hindrance when it comes to this type of thing. You should follow your heart.”

I grin. Not many people see my logic when it comes to my majors. Tapping his arm, I say, “Thanks. That’s very nice to hear because even Jenna thinks I’m crazy. She gives me a hard time because I’m always studying.”

“It’s good to be driven, Cate. Not everyone is like that.”

I smooth my dress over my legs. “I wouldn’t necessarily call it driven. It’s sort of a must.” I explain the deal about my parents and my scholarships.

“Ah, I see. But that sort of makes you even more motivated. The way I see it, you could’ve taken the easy road and gone to school where they wanted you to. But instead, you chose Purdue, and are working hard to stay here. It’s your choice, right?”

“Well, yeah. When you put it that way, I guess so.” He makes me feel good about the fact that I have to study hard. Everyone else, including my best friend, gives me a hard time about it.

I look at his profile as he drives and see his lips curl into a smile. He’s nothing like I expected. What had I expected? Some older dude. And why? I don’t know. Seven years from now I’ll be his age. Will I consider myself old? I shake off the thought because I see how ridiculous I was being.