Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 48146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
He looked away, but I could see that his mouth had tilted upward.
We grabbed our drinks and left the line. “I suppose if you’re gonna continue keeping me up late with your ridiculous questions, you might actually owe me a coffee.”
“You can always tell me to shut up.”
He threw me a sideways glance. “Not sure that would work.”
I stopped in my tracks, wondering if I was reading him all wrong.
Shit, did he not enjoy our talks or banter as much as me?
“I’m just messing with you.” He playfully nudged my shoulder. “You should see your face.”
I rolled my eyes, but relief flooded my stomach. “Okay, whatever.”
When the first raindrops hit my cheek, I glanced up to see the storm clouds moving in.
“I’m gonna find a table in the student center to study for my music-theory quiz tomorrow.” Emil raised an eyebrow. “What about you?”
“Ugh, I’ve got a paper to write for my nutrition class.”
“You’re free to join me. I did tell your parents that you work hard. I might get extra points if I keep you on track too.”
I liked the sound of that for entirely different reasons.
“Knowing you, that would probably work.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked as we made it to the steps before getting completely drenched.
“You’ve obviously charmed them. They like you. I can’t imagine why.”
“Hey!”
We bumped shoulders and laughed.
It was crowded in the student center, but we were able to find two seats at a sorority table lined with markers and poster boards for some event.
“Hey, Bones.” Heather waved.
“Hey,” I replied absently, not really paying attention to who was around us.
When Emil smirked, I said, “What?”
“Nothing. It’s just…in case you were worried your football-god status was revoked, I can assure you it definitely wasn’t.”
I quirked a grin. “I can’t help it that everyone finds me irresistible.”
Except maybe him.
He snorted a laugh as I sank down in one of the seats, and there was barely enough room for Emil to squeeze by to the other chair. As he sat, his knee slid against mine, and I could’ve sworn I heard a breath catch in the back of his throat. “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”
“Nah, it’s fine. Besides, we’re lucky we found somewhere to sit with the rain coming down.”
His gaze followed mine to the overcrowded space, students sitting on the floor and at tables, trying to make room for themselves until the end of the period or the rain, whichever came first.
I opened my laptop while he pulled out a music textbook and study sheet with notes. I wrote the introductory paragraph for my paper, pretending to be invested in the subject, all the while appreciating the musky scent of rain lingering between us, our hair and skin still damp from outside.
Emil’s book remained open, but he never turned the page. Instead, his pen moved in the side margins of his study sheet, drawing what looked like musical notes and chords, as if he had a song stuck in his head. I wouldn’t call him on it, but it was fucking cute.
The longer we sat there, the more I noticed how his chest moved up and down as short breaths burst from his pouty lips. When our forearms inadvertently brushed as he reached down to retrieve his pen, a spark of electricity surged through me. The way I felt about Emil was confusing, but I sure as hell hoped I’d have the opportunity to figure it all out.
We worked until the rain died down and the center started clearing out again. The sorority sisters left our table with their supplies in tow, and though we had plenty of room now, he didn’t move his chair and neither did I.
“Emil?” I whispered without looking directly at him.
He took a deep breath before answering. “Yeah?”
“Do you feel it too?” I was completely serious, but I couldn’t help tucking a smile in my cheek, anticipating Emil’s reaction. I knew he would think I was full of shit, but I enjoyed stirring him up anyway. I loved catching him off-guard. That moment when his expression was real, pure, and full of wonder before he buttoned it down.
He threw me a wary glance as if anticipating something crude. “Feel what?”
“This thing in the air…between us. I can’t be the only one who feels it,” I said, capturing his eye.
He moved his chair over an inch. “That’s just you being a horndog.”
My mouth dropped open before recovering. That stung. But I figured it was his defense mechanism after the roller coaster we had last year. Trying not to feel anything that resembled affection or fondness after we’d lobbed insults back and forth. I got it. I did. It was exactly how I felt after he’d rocked my world—twice now.
“That’s not true,” I replied, tempering my tone. “Too bad you can’t admit it.”