Chapter 3- Coffee and Texts

SAMANTHA’S POV

“I cannot believe he actually said that to me,” I burst out, slamming my bag onto my bed.

Angelina looked up from painting her nails a bright red, one eyebrow raised. Her dyed red hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun. “Who? And why do you look like you just ran a marathon in the rain?”

“Wesley Adams.” I kicked off my wet shoes and flopped onto my chair. “The tall basketball guy. Arrogant as hell. He cornered me this morning near the lecture block after I barely slept because of the couple next door going at it like rabbits.”

Angelina grinned wide. “Ooh… my… God! Spill the tea babes. Did he flirt? Please tell me he flirted.”

“He asked me to dinner,” I said, still shocked. “After knocking my notes everywhere last night and basically calling me wound up. Then this morning he blocked my path, all wet from practice, shirt sticking to his chest, and just… asked me out like it was nothing.”

My best friend squealed and clapped her hands. “Samantha Williams! Finally! So what did you say? Please tell me you said yes.”

“I said no. Absolutely not.” I stood up and started pacing our small room. “He’s trouble, Angie. You know the type that sleeps with half the campus and smiles like the world owes him something. I went to the library to escape sex noises and ran straight into him.”

Angelina capped her nail polish and spun on the bed to face me. “Babe, maybe that’s exactly what you need. You heard the moans, your body reacted, and instead of touching yourself like a normal person you ran away. Again. Live a little.”

My face heated up. “I almost did touch myself. Then I stopped. It felt… wrong. I’m trying to focus on my postcolonial lit essay that’s due in two weeks. It’s worth thirty percent of the module.”

“Exactly,” she said, pointing at me with the nail polish brush. “You’re stressing yourself to death. One dinner won’t kill your GPA. Maybe he’ll help you loosen up. I heard he’s very good with his hands.”

“Angie!” I grabbed a pillow and threw it at her. She dodged, laughing.

A knock sounded on our door.

“Come in,” Angelina called.

The door opened and Donald Brook stepped inside, holding two coffees. He had neat light brown hair, warm hazel eyes, and that easy smile that made him look like he belonged in a magazine for nice guys.

“Hey, sorry to barge in,” he said. “I saw you rushing to ethics earlier, Samantha, and you looked stressed, so I brought you a latte. Thought you might need caffeine after whatever kept you up last night.”

“Hope I’m not crossing the line.”

I took the cup, surprised. “Oh no! Thanks, Donald. That’s really kind.”

Angelina wiggled her eyebrows at me behind his back.

Donald leaned against the doorframe. “No problem. I overheard you mentioning the group project in class. The professor announced that we’ll be paired randomly for the business ethics presentation. It’s thirty-five percent of the final mark. We should probably start early.”

My stomach dropped. “Please don’t tell me I’m paired with Wesley Adams.”

Donald chuckled softly. “Not sure yet. But if you are, I can help mediate. He’s my teammate. But don’t worry, he’s a guy underneath the cocky stuff.”

“Good guy?” I took a sip of the latte. It was perfect, actually. “He basically dared me to have dinner with him this morning while I was late for lecture.”

Donald’s smile faltered just a bit. “He asked you out? Wow! Bold move.”

“Yeah, and I turned him down flat.” I sat on the edge of my bed. “I don’t have time for players. Between the reading list, my essay, and keeping my scholarship grades up, I’m already drowning.”

Angelina jumped in. “Which is why you need balance. Donald, tell her she should go out more.”

Donald looked between us, his expression thoughtful. “She’s right that the workload is heavy this semester. But a coffee or study break isn’t bad. If you want, we could review the ethics notes together sometime. No pressure.”

I smiled at him. He was nice, safe, and looked like the kind of guy who brought coffee without expecting anything. Unlike Wesley, who looked at me like he wanted to devour me right there in the rain.

“That would be great, actually,” I said. “Thanks.”

My phone buzzed on the desk. Unknown number. I picked it up.

Unknown: Library again tonight? I promise not to knock your notes over this time. – Wesley

I stared at the message, heart racing. How did he even get my number?

“Who is it?” Angelina asked, leaning over.

“Wesley.” I showed them the screen.

Donald read it and his jaw tightened slightly. “He’s persistent. You okay?”

I typed back quickly.

Me: How did you get my number? And no. Stay away like I asked.

The reply came fast.

Wesley: Friends in admin. Come on, Samantha. One hour. I’ll even help with your boring lit essay if you want.

Me: It’s not boring. And I don’t need your help.

Wesley: Bet I could make it interesting. You still thinking about those moans from last night? Or was it me that got you flushed?

My thighs pressed together on their own. Heat rushed through me again. Damn him.

Angelina peeked at the messages and whistled. “Girl, the tension is insane. Reply yes.”

“No,” I said firmly, but my fingers hovered.

Donald cleared his throat. “I should head out. Got practice soon. Samantha, if you need any help dodging him or with the project, just say. I’m around.”

“Thanks, Donald. Really.”

He gave me another warm smile and left, closing the door gently.

Angelina immediately turned on me. “Okay, spill. What are you actually feeling right now? Because your face is telling a different story than your words.”

I dropped the phone on the bed and buried my face in my hands for a second. “I hate him. He’s rude, full of himself, and he makes me feel… things I shouldn’t. My body reacts every time he gets close. It’s stupid.”

“That’s called chemistry, babe. Strong chemistry.”

Angelina came over and sat next to me. “Donald is sweet. Safe choice. But Wesley? He looks like he’d pin you against a wall and make you forget your own name.”

The image flashed in my mind. Wesley’s tall frame pressing into me, that deep voice in my ear, his hands…

I stood up fast. “I need to focus. I have a seminar in an hour and notes to organise.”

My phone buzzed again.

Wesley: Running away again? Cute. But I meant what I said this morning. You won’t be able to avoid me forever, Samantha Williams. See you in the group project meeting tomorrow. We’re paired. Professor just sent the list.

My stomach flipped.

“Angie,” I whispered, showing her the message. “I’m paired with him.”

She grinned like it was the best news ever. “This semester just got interesting.”

I stared at the phone, my pulse pounding. Wesley Adams was going to be in my group. Forced to work with me. Close to me… and worst of all… for weeks.

And Donald would be in the same class watching.

I didn’t know whether to scream or… something else.

Later that evening, I tried to study in the common room instead of the library. My notes were spread out, but I kept rereading the same paragraph. My mind kept drifting to green eyes and a cocky smirk.

The door to the common room opened. Wesley walked in, basketball bag over his shoulder, hair still damp from a shower. He scanned the room until his eyes locked on mine.

He smiled that dangerous smile and started walking straight toward my table.

“Oh no,” I muttered under my breath.

This was not going to end well.