“It’s nothing.” But his amusement suggests otherwise. He attempts to scrub his hand over his mouth in an attempt to hide it, but I see it, there and glittering.
I narrow my eyes at him as I swing my bag off my shoulder and drop it beside my feet. “Clearly, it is, or you wouldn’t be smiling like that.”
He lowers his hand from his mouth and rests his arms on the table in front of us. “Fine, it’s just that you said thanks.”
“And …?”
He shrugs. “And it was almost like you were getting your teeth pulled.”
Okay, it’s frightening how on-point he is. Still … “I say sorry on occasion.”
“Okay.”
“I do,” I insist defensively.
“And I said okay.” He’s on the verge of smiling again.
“You know, when I first met you, back in that place we’re both pretending we weren’t at, I got the impression that you were the quiet, brooding type, but I misread you.” I lean over to dig a pen and notebook out of my bag. By the time I sit up, his smile has faded. I heave a dramatic sigh. “What did I say now?”
“Nothing.” He falls silent. I’ve struck a nerve, yet I’m not sure if it was the subtle mention of us being in jail or my remark about him being quiet and brooding. And I shouldn’t care. I’ve never cared about a guy before. But I told Lily I’d try.
He remains silent as he unzips his leather bag and pulls out a laptop.
I realize everyone else has one out, as well. Why I didn’t think of that is beyond me. I have one back in my dorm. It’s old and worn, but at least it’s functional.
“Crap, I forgot my computer,” I mumble then move to stand up.
He snags a hold of the hem of my shirt, his fingers grazing my flesh.
If I thought I felt butterflies when he touched my arm after we crashed into each other, I was wrong. Because holy fluttering monarchs, does my stomach erupt with flutters to the point where I startle.
“Sorry.” He quickly jerks back.
“You’re fine.” I think.
I don’t know …
What the hell was that?
“Sorry,” he replies again, in a much more even tone. “I was just going to say that if you’re late to this class, Professor Madella will make a big deal about it in front of everyone.”
Grimacing, I lower back down into the chair. “That’s the last thing I want.”
“I assumed so.”
“Why?”
He lifts a shoulder. “You just seem like the type who doesn’t like to draw attention, even though you do.” He stares down at the keyboard of his laptop.
“Yeah, I know. I reek of northside, don’t I?” I sink back into the chair with a heavy sigh.
“No, that’s not it.” He avoids eye contact with me as he boots up his laptop.
“What is it, then?” I question then add dryly, “My charming personality?”
He rubs his lips together, on the verge of smiling again. “You say that like you’re joking, but it’s kind of true.”
I put the end of my pen to my lip. “Only kind of, huh?”
