Page 18 of Under His Protection
“Good.” I gesture to Philip. “This is my boyfriend, Philip. Philip, this is Ryan. He’s the RA I told you about.”
Ryan gives Philip a welcoming smile. “Nice to meet you, Philip. Are you a student here, too?”
“No,” Philip says. “I’m just dating one.”
Ryan laughs. “It looks like you’re on your way out. Have fun. Haley, don’t forget curfew. In your room by ten. Lights out at eleven.”
I wave. “I won’t forget.”
We take the stairs down to the ground floor and cross the lobby to the main doors. Philip takes my hand and leads me out the door.
We walk hand in hand a couple of blocks until we reach Lafayette Street. On our way to the restaurant, we pass a tattoo parlor, a couple of bars, a pharmacy, and a small independent grocery store. Lafayette is busy this evening, the sidewalk filled with pedestrians. Cars move slowly along the street to avoidhitting jaywalking students who are crossing the street willy-nilly as they try to take it all in.
As we pass a used book store, I peer inside the windows at the cluttered, disorganized interior. There are countless racks and bookcases filled to the brim with books. I spot a set of beautifully illustrated Jane Austen hardcovers on display in the window. “Those are gorgeous.”
Philip puts his arm across my shoulders and draws me close. “After we eat, if you like, we can stop here on the way back to your dorm.”
“I would love that.” I slip my arm around his waist and smile.He knows me so well.
The restaurant is crowded, but we manage to get a small table for two. We munch on chips and salsa while we wait for our food to arrive. I order chicken soft tacos with refried beans and rice. Philip orders enchiladas.
As usual, I order a soft drink. “You can get a beer or a margarita, if you want, since we’re walking.” He doesn’t drink alcohol when he’s driving me.
He shakes his head. “That’s okay. I’ll have what you’re having.”
The food is delicious, and when we’re done eating, we’re too stuffed too even think about dessert.
On our way back to campus, we stop at the bookstore. After browsing around, I check out the set of illustrated Austen books in the window. I’ve been obsessed with her books since I was in middle school, after falling in love with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy in the BBC adaptation ofPride and Prejudice. He made quite an impact on my highly impressionable thirteen-year-old mind.
I gaze down at the beautiful, yet pricey, matched set of vintage books with gorgeous color illustrations. They’re certainly nowhere near as expensive as a set of first editions, but they’re still pretty expensive. Too expensive for me.
Philip watches me fawn over the books. “Are you getting them?”
“I wish.” I show him the two-hundred-and-fifty dollar price tag for the set. “Too pricey for me.”
He frowns. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
Sadly, I leave the bookstore empty handed. It’s nine-thirty when we make it back to my room. Philip notices a flyer lying on the welcome mat in front of my door. He picks it up, reads it, and then hands it to me. He takes my key from my hand and unlocks my door as I read the flyer.
It’s an advertisement for Game Night, Friday at eight, in the dorm’s community room. Pizza and soft drinks provided. According to the flyer, it’s a joint mixer between two neighboring dorms, Faulkner Hall and Milton Hall.
I toss the flyer in the trash can just inside my room.
“You’re not interested in going?” Philip asks.
“No. I’d much rather spend my Friday night with you than play games with strangers.”
“Then it sounds like we have a date Friday night.”
I smile. “We sure do.”
Chapter 7 – Philip
After I leave Haley’s dorm that evening, I get in my truck and drive straight back to the used bookstore we just visited. Thank God they’re still open. I hated seeing the look on Haley’s face when we left the store without those books she wanted so badly.
I walk into the store, pick up the set, and carry it to the checkout.
