I’m dreading having to face Bad-News-Todd.
He and Trish did NOT end well…
And now I’m in the middle of it.
I knock on his dorm room door again—
Adjusting my hold on the box filled with his belongings.
But when the door opens…it’s not Bad-News-Todd at all.
The stranger’s brown hair is damp and carefree.
He’s wearing faded jeans…and no shirt.
I’ve got a delicious view of tanned skin and washboard abs.
Ginger
Hi. Is Todd around?
I try really hard to keep my eyes on this guy’s gorgeous face.
Guy
Sorry. Todd’s out for the day…
Guy
But I’m his roommate. Can I help you?
YES, YOU CAN! I want to shout.
Instead, I smile politely.
Ginger
I’m here to drop off the stuff Todd left in his ex’s dorm room.
Ginger
In return, he was supposed to give me Trish’s stuff…
Ginger
I’m basically their go-between.
Todd’s roomie looks at the box I’m holding.
Trish marked it with glaring red letters—
THIS JUNK BELONGS TO THE JERKY TROLL!
Guy
You must be Ginger. Todd mentioned you’d drop by…
Guy
There’s a bag with your friend’s stuff on the table.
Guy
Why don’t you come in?
Guy
I’m Nolan, by the way.
As in Nolan Remnick, the biggest player on campus?
The baddest of all the bad-news boys?
I pause on the doorstep. The thing is—
I’ve been staying away from fun-and-done dudes.
I’ve been hurt one too many times.
But when Nolan takes the box from me…
And my traitorous pulse jumps.
I know he TOTALLY did it on purpose.
His tilted smile gives him away…
But I’m cool as I walk inside.
I’m not even disappointed when he puts on a t-shirt…
Hiding those delicious abs.
Nolan jerks his chin toward a paper bag sitting on a table.
Nolan
Todd packed up your friend’s stuff, but…
That’s when I see what Bad-News Todd wrote on the bag—
PROPERTY OF THE BASIC WITCH!!
Nolan
I’m guessing that Todd and Trish are never, ever getting back together.
Ginger
At least Trish has finally learned the most important dating lesson of all.
Ginger
Avoid bad-news boys.
Ginger
…even if they’re cute.
I stare pointedly at Nolan…
And he folds his arms over his wide chest.
What would it be like to run my hands over those muscles?
Nolan
You sound pretty determined to avoid bad boys.
Ginger
I can even identify one in seconds.
He gives me a daredevil grin back…
Nolan
So how DO you identify a bad boy?
Ginger
He’s the kind of guy who says whatever it is you want to hear.
Ginger
Who lures you in with a sexy stare and a fun smile.
Ginger
The kind of guy who, oh say…
Ginger
Answers the door shirtless.
Nolan
Well, what’s wrong with a little bad?
Ginger
You’re not a little bad, Nolan.
Ginger
You’re a lot bad, from what I hear.
I saunter over to Trish’s stuff.
Ginger
Nolan, you — and all bad-news guys — get bored fast.
Ginger
You don’t care about the messes you leave behind.
Ginger
You don’t care about anyone…
The power in his voice surprises me.
Nolan moves towards me, eyes on my eyes.
Close enough for me to smell his skin.
But before desire overrules my common sense…
Before I give in to yet another bad-news-boy…
I grab Trish’s belongings…
And objects spill all over the floor.
Nolan immediately gets to his knees…
And helps me gather the spilled belongings.
My face burns with mortification.
Nolan
It looks like Trish and Todd were doing more than just fighting.
I bend down next to him and pick up another object.
Can a black hole just open up and swallow me?
Nolan
You’re SURE that Todd was the bad one in this relationship?
He winks, and I throw the blindfold at him.
Nolan
Since you’ve decided to brush off bad boys…
Nolan
Are you telling me that you’ve left stuff like this behind?
I send a longing glance to the feather tickler.
Nolan smirks as if he knows what I’m thinking…
And I snatch the feather tickler away.
Ginger
Stop teasing me and help me clean up.
Nolan
Okay. But only because I’m a nice guy.
Ginger
Sure. And I’m the Dalai Lama.
He picks up a plastic rose from the floor and holds it out to me.
Nolan
What if I told you that I’m a misunderstood romantic?
Nolan
Look, I know I’ve dated around a lot…
Nolan
But that doesn’t mean I’m a bad person, Ginger.
Is it possible that Nolan, the ultimate bad boy…
Nolan
Just so you know, I’m not putting on some act.
Nolan
I’ve seen you around campus.
Ginger
I’m sure you’ve seen ALL the girls around campus.
Nolan
I haven’t felt a spark with any of the girls I notice.
His gaze gets suddenly serious.
Nolan
Except for today, right now.
Nolan
Ginger…I feel a spark with you.
And I feel those sparks dancing all across my skin.
Nolan
I’ve been searching for a real connection…
Nolan
I just had no idea how to find it until now.
Nolan skims his fingertips over my bare arm.
A hot trail of goose bumps rolls over my skin.
Nolan
Ginger…I want to be a nice guy.
Nolan
All I need is someone to give me a chance…
Nolan
To prove how nice I can be.
He touches my hand as if he’s still unsure.
And all I can think is YES.
I want to take a chance on Nolan.
Even if I turn out to be wrong.
I close my eyes, my heart hammering inside my chest.
I open my eyes to find his gaze shining with genuine hope.
My voice comes out a breathy whisper.
Ginger
You SEEM like a good guy…
Ginger
But I think I’m going to need a little more persuading.
I wrap my arms around his neck and bring him closer.
Ginger
So persuade me some more?
Nolan smiles as he gently gathers me in his arms.
He brushes his lips over mine in a sweet, soft kiss.
Making me believe that there really is more good to come.
