“Damn, then that sucks. I follow a bit, but I’m more into hockey. That’s why this project is fantastic and exciting. Did you do the research?”
“You got it. Let’s compare.”
We broke the project into two parts and knocked out the first one in an hour and a half. To say I was impressed was being modest. I’d always ended up doing all the work and this rocked. “High five, Radcliffe. We killed that first part.”
He smiled shyly and raised his hand. “Yeah. Yeah we did.”
I hit his hand with mine and pulled back quickly. “Short break before we start the second? I’m going to go grab a small coffee.”
“I’ll wait here. Go ahead.”
I headed over to the small coffee shop with my phone and cash. I needed a little more boost to get through the day. I had been up pretty late the night before. The thought brought a smile to my face and with his freaky superpowers, Zade must’ve known I was thinking about him.
Zade: God. I’m not a stalker, but you look amazing.
I searched the area around me, nerves fluttering through me. He must be somewhere in the library, but I couldn’t find him.
Callie: Interesting that you followed me to the library. Been following me anywhere else?
Zade: I plead the fifth. Tell your drycleaners hello for me.
Callie: Good one.
Zade: My open mic slot starts in thirty.
I laughed, warmed by the easy flirting. We’d chosen to cancel our run, the party never making it to the club. Instead, the party had lasted until the early hours of the morning at the house. I’d left with a slightly drunk Greta around three. Sometimes she needed a chaperone and, as her best friend, that meant me.
Callie: Can I make a stereotypical jock joke? How did you know we had a library?
Zade: I asked Siri. She’s my number 1.
Callie: Are you going to hide behind your phone or actually come talk to me?
Zade: I think I’ll continue to hide.
Callie: You have a problem. But suit yourself.
I pocketed my phone, but I stood a little straighter knowing he watched me from somewhere. I had seen him every day since moving here. Literally every day and I didn’t want to break the streak. I ordered a small black coffee with a little mint flavoring and had headed back to the table when a large chest blocked me.
“Uh, excuse me.” I tried to be polite but then heard a familiar voice. “Oh, hey.”
Zade studied me with so much emotion my breath caught in my throat.Slow down,my brain told my heart, but my heart was a strong independent woman who took no directions from anyone. He put his hand on my shoulder, squeezing it. “How’s the homework coming, nerd?”
I ignored his comment, his fingers dragging down my arm consuming every feeling I had. It was a possessive move, but not unromantic. It was as if he needed to touch me and that was the only place I would let him. I continued to stare at him and he cleared his throat. “Shit, sorry. You distracted me.”
“I wish we would’ve had this talk earlier. You can check me out all you want. Name the place and time.”
“Calm down, psycho. Homework is going well. Actually got paired with someone who does their share. I love it when that happens.”
“Good for you.” His smile held back something and I wanted to figure out what.
“Have you ever had to do partner work?” I asked, curious. Professors raved about how collaboration helped in the real world because we were forced to work with people all the time. I called bullshit. They wanted to grade fewer assignments and make our college experience even more awkward.
“Here and there, sure.” He didn’t meet my eyes and I put it together.
“Oh, my god. You dog. You made your partner do everything and you probably blew them a kiss or winked or something.” I hit him in the chest. “Am I right?”
“You aren’t entirely wrong. I’ll admit that.” He looked ashamed and proud of his little antics. “I do get good grades, though. My mom threatened to send me STD pamphlets in the mail if my GPA goes below a three.”
