“Critique group?” I cast a questioning look at her while she shakes her head.
“Oh yeah, we’re in the same cohort. She told me you were going to help her with her assignment. Get her to participate in group discussions while you’re at it, because-”
“Kameron!” She pinches him again. This time he reaches for her side in the middle of his laughter. The gnawing feeling in my chest is growing stronger each second. Liliana and I were never close enough classmates to playfully pinch each other between giggles. “Seriously, go away. Do your job. Count coffee grinds. Literally anything else.”
“But I want to tell Grant-”
“Go. Away.”
Her finger points to the back counter of the café. Begrudgingly he waves goodbye, and I at least have the courtesy to thank him for the matcha. A free drink is a free drink.
“I’m so sorry about him.”
“No worries.” The matcha does nothing to wash the bitter taste out of my mouth.
She shakes her head. “I bet you’re used to it with how much he flirts with you.”
I have to gulp the drink down quickly to avoid doing a spit take.
“What are you talking about?”
She giggles again, looking at me amazed. “There’s no way you haven’t noticed.”
Her cherry lip stain bunches around the corners of her mouth, and I note the shade of red to add to my palette later.
“Noticed what?”
“Kameron thinks you’re hot.” She laughs behind her hand.
“What?”
“He checks you out whenever you come in. Talks about you all the time.” Liliana glances over her shoulder and says something else, but I’m too focused on the fact he was just smiling at her.
“Are you sure he’s not into you?”
Her snort kills any skepticism I had left. “I promise you. I’m not his type.”
I hum to show I understand. His loss.
Thankfully.
I lean back into my chair and lazily grin with relief and realization.
“Well, I’m flattered.” Now that she’s mentioned it, I recall the times he’s checked in on me, and the random drink upgrades I constantly brushed off. Maybe I am oblivious. “Unfortunately for him, Kameron’s notmytype.”
“Oh, really?” Amusement sparkles in the hazel of her eyes.
I shake my head but smile. This is the most animated and reactive I’ve seen her since we’ve started talking again—evenbeyond the lighthearted jokes. I can’t stop myself from chasing it.
“I have a specific type. He doesn't fit the description. Sorry.”
“He’s a great guy, I’ll have you know.” Her plush lips land on the tip of her straw, and electricity stirs throughout my body. “What is it about him that doesn’t appeal to you, then? Is it because he works at a café?”
I chuckle. Is she actually asking, or is she trying to play this game with me?
“No, I don’t mind that at all.”
Liliana hums, peeks back at Kam behind the counter. Her eyes are full of sincerity when she speaks, and I realize she’s genuinely curious.
