"What about this?" Scott asked, showing me the same type of ring he did seconds ago. It was a very simple golden ring with a tiny diamond attached.

I gave him a look that said are you serious. He put the ring down quickly and looked away as if he never looked at it before.

"Scott, find something you know she would like. I mean at this point she'll like whatever ring you give her as long as you propose. But at least make sure she'll like it."

"This. Is. So. Hard." Scott huffed out in frustration making me laugh.

"What about this?" I asked, showing him a ring that consisted of one large diamond with small ones surrounding them. Scott looked at it intently; probably deciding whether or not he should get it.

"Do you know what her size is?" I asked, resting my body on the side of the clear counter. Scott looked confused for a minute before realizing his mistake.

Rolling my eyes, I tried on the ring myself. "I think we're the same size," I told him. I admired the ring by wiggling my fingers back in forth.

"It's a really nice ring. Do you think she'll like it?" Scott asked, holding my hand gently.

"Of course, she would. She would never take it off!"

"Thank you so much Reign." Scott swallowed me into a hug.

"Scotty?" A deep voice called, making both Scott and I break away from our hug and look at who called his name.

"Tobi!" Scott replied enthusiastically, giving Tobias a weird bromancy hug.

I looked between the two of them, clearly confused. They both acted as if I was non-existent, which I was okay with. This was all too weird. How the hell did Scott know Tobias? They even have little nicknames for each other. I was just happy I didn't tell Scott about my outré Saturday night.

"Where have you been? I haven't seen you in the gym in a while!"

So that's how they knew each other. I remember Noel telling me Scott joined a gym a couple of months ago but, I didn't know he made friends there and that he was the guy I've been obsessing over.

Scott shrugged and put his hands in his pocket. "School has been kicking my ass."

I try to walk away from them slowly, but Scott must've realized what I was doing because the next thing I knew I was being introduced to Tobias.

"I'm so sorry Reign. This is Tobias. We work out together sometimes," Scott said.

I gave Tobias a tight smile and held out my hand for him to shake. He frowned at my outstretched hand, but he quickly picked up that I didn't want Scott knowing that we knew each other because he gave me a familiar smirk before taking my hand.

"Nice to meet you, Reign."

I let out a deep breath that I've been holding in and secretly thank God for being on my side today. It would've been way too awkward if Tobias didn't go along with my plan.

"Are you guys together?" He asked, staring directly at the ring on my ring finger.

We both let out a humorous laugh and look away, although I was slightly appalled. Did he really think I would hook up with someone when I was in a relationship?

"She's a close friend and the best friend of my girlfriend," Scott explained. "She's helping me find an engagement ring for her. Hey, you should come to the wedding!"

I stared at Scott in shock. He hasn't asked Noel to marry him yet and he already started making a guest list. He was unbelievable.

"Sure man. Just tell me when and where. You really need to get back in the gym. Brice..."

I zoned out and tried to take the ring off. I gave it back to the sales rep and told her to ring it up for Scott.

"I have to go Scott. My Organic Chemistry class starts in an hour and I still need to get back to school. But make sure you buy the ring! I already told the lady to ring it up."

"Thank you so much, Reign. You're definitely a life saver," he said, smiling broadly.

With one last look at Tobias, I brushed passed him and walked out of Kay Jewelers. Could this day get any weirder?

~*~

"Why does Professor Rowe love drowning us in homework?" Jamie complained, pulling her straight jet-black hair in a ponytail.

Jamie was one of my closest friends that I made here at Columbia University. She moved to New York from the Philippines during high school and got adjusted to the American culture fairly quickly. She also was a psych major, resulting in us sharing classes every year.

"Because he has no life and loves to torture his students," I replied wittily, trying to copy down the last few slides he displayed.

Jamie giggles a bit and begins packing up her stuff. "Let's have a study group tomorrow. I feel like this can go much more quickly if I'm doing it with someone else."

"Yeah sure. I'll see you tomorrow at your dorm."

Jamie leaves and I quickly pack up as well. I wrapped my scarf around my neck loosely and walked outside in the bone-chilling night.

"Finally," a familiar voice called. I look to my right and see Tobias leaning lazily against the brick walls of the Chemistry building.

"What is this? Are you stalking me now?" I asked, feeling a bit panicky. This was beginning to feel like some crappy horror movie. I took out my phone and dialed 911 just in case.

"Sweetheart, you're not that special," he replied, stepping away from the building and walking in front of me. His face was directly under a street lamp and I could see the cut on his lip beginning to heal.

"Why are you here then?" I challenged, tucking in a loose piece of my hair behind my ear.

"Relax. You left this at my apartment."

Tobias was holding out my plain black Tory Burch wallet. My mouth opens a little, confused as to how he got it. I could've sworn I had it at my brunch with Noel. I rummaged through my bag and sure enough my wallet wasn't there. But then again I did always leave a couple of twenties lying around in my bag.

"Thank you," I replied while outstretching my hand to take my wallet back. Tobias moved my wallet back leaving my hand floating in mid-air.

"What the hell was that for?" I asked angrily.

"Have another drink with me."

I laughed dryly at his demand. The last thing I was going to do was have a repeat of Saturday.

"I have a 9 AM class tomorrow. I can't manage to get a hangover again."

I reached for my wallet again, which I managed to grab, but Tobias kept his grip on it tightly. I could see his veins popping out of his arms and I wondered how many times he works out.

"It doesn't have to be an alcoholic beverage. It could be tea or some shit like that. You look like you're into tea."

I scoffed at him and ripped my wallet from his arms. He looked surprised as I took it away from him but quickly recomposed himself.

"You really think I'm going to go out with you after that? Think again."

Tobias chuckled deeply and ran his hand through his hair. "What did I say wrong? That you like tea? I'm sorry but come on don't leave me hanging all night."

"Is this what you do with all your one-night stand victims? Hunt them down, befriend their friends, and try to wiggle your way in their pants again?"

"First, I don't do one night stands. You knew this. Second, I've been friends with Scott for a couple of months now. Last time I checked returning a wallet is a good thing, is it not?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. He stepped closer until he was right in front of me and smiled smugly. "Are you offering to have sex with me again, Reign?"

My cheeks redden and I take a step back, feeling too claustrophobic. "No...of course not."

"You don't sound too sure," he teased.

"I have an early class tomorrow," I whispered, mostly to myself, trying to convince myself that this was a bad idea.

"You've said that before, but I can still see you thinking about it."

I shake my head trying to clear my thoughts. Don't do it Reign. Don't go home with him. You're going to have to do the walk of shame, again. This is a bad idea.

"Reign," I heard Tobias whisper in his deep, raspy voice that I found so irresistible.

Damn it. Why did everything about him have to be so perfect? He walked towards me slowly and I caught a whiff of his cologne, clouding my judgment. He put his hand on my cheek gently but firmly, caressing me with his rough thumb. His eyes flickered to my lips as mine did the same. I licked my lips, eager to feel his against mine. Tobias leaned in slowly, daunting me. His lips finally came in contact with me, but not in the place I wanted them to be.

"Let's get out of here," he whispered, his mouth rubbing against my ear. I shivered at how intimate this was. I ignored all the warning signs that popped up in my head and nodded quickly. I grabbed Tobias's outstretched hand and returned to the place I swear I wouldn't go to again.