A tiny part of her thinks that he genuinely wants the help, and that other part of her, the part that’s been burned too many times, thinks that he didn’t mean what he said that day and he’s just playing her like a fool.
“Before you leave for the day, a reminder about the Graduate Affairs Event for Data Science and Statistics next Friday. Jackson has promised extra credit for students who attend and stay for at least thirty minutes. We will be there the whole time to verify attendance.” She meets viridescent eyes from across the room as she speaks the next few words. “I encourage you all to come out. Especially those of you who didn’t do so well on our first quiz. It won’t save your grades, but it will definitely help in the long run.”
She checks the time on her watch.
“That’s all I have for today. I’ll be around for a few minutes for any lingering, life-altering questions that need to be answered. Otherwise, I’ll see you all again on Friday.”
Jahlani waves goodbye to students while she collects her things. As the auditorium empties, she places her laptop, along with her charger, into her bag.
A familiar lavender scent hits her, and her hands start to tremble—her body reacting to his presence before her mind can gather coherent, safe thoughts.
“Was that jab meant for me?” His deep voice causes her hair to stand on end, and she refuses to look up as she continues to pack her notebooks next.
Grabbing a stack of papers, she lines them up, avoiding eye contact. “No idea what you’re talking about. That was clearly an announcement for the entire room. You know, because the world doesn’t revolve around you.”
He scoffs. “You’re mean today.”
This time she does look up and?—
He’s closer than she realized, because she can see that he has a tiny mole under his eyebrow.
She stalls, trying to formulate a response that isn’t purely driven by her overwhelming need to push him away, because he’s not wrong.
She breathes out shakily. “I am.”
His head rears back, and he smiles. “What?”
“I am really fucking mean to you today. I’m sorry. I just?—”
“Don’t like it when I’m late, half-ass things, and bomb quizzes after I’ve asked for your help?” he says, smiling wider, like this is agood thing.
She licks her lips, shaking her head. “Exactly. I don’t like my time being wasted.”
He holds up his hands. “I understand. I’m sorry, I’ll try to do better.”
“Try?” she says, a scoff slipping out. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Will. Iwillbe better,” he says, correcting himself.
She lets out a soft laugh, rubbing her fingers to her temple. “Yeah, I’ll believe it when I see it, Hayes.”
Shouldering her bag, she steps from behind the podium and moves toward the double doors. Roman is already in front of her, holding one side open.
“Thanks,” she says under her breath, stepping into the university quad. A grassy lawn sits in the middle, flanked by two long paths that stretch to the main area of campus. The smell of the damp grass tangles with the aroma of roasted coffee beans emanating from the student café next to them. Students are spread out, swinging from hammocks, chasing dogs, noses buried in a textbook. She shields her face as the sun glares down on her, fishing her headphones from her bag. A sudden shadow blocks the light and she looks up.
“Can I help you?” she asks, not meaning it at all.
Go away, and take your stupid, laboratory-grown green eyes with you.
He slides both hands into his pockets as he looks down at her, smiling like he knows something she doesn’t.
“I’ll be there—for office hours and the event.”
She blinks up at him. “You want a cookie or something?”
He laughs, throwing his head back. “No. No cookie, but you could be less mean. More friendly,” he says, eyes raking over her as he steps closer.
She regards him warily. “I won’t bemoreanything.”
