I felt more than saw Eric’s gaze against my back, and I put on my game face. “My new proposal will be ready Friday.”
“In three days.” Her eyes flashed.
My gut tightened. “Is that okay?”
“This class is not some BS place where you read and reflect. You learn. You experience. Priorities change daily in the business world. You could have a ten-page detailed plan with color coordinating tabs, and your boss could change their mind that morning. Being able to shift and produce under pressure is part of the job. So yes. Do it. Adjust. Impress me.”
“I will.” I grinned hard and spun in a circle of victory. That internship was mine, baby. I’d impress her, help Luca’s grandma,andstick it to Eric. It really was a trifecta of wins. Butterflies exploded in my stomach, some of it nerves but mainly excitement. Eric eyed me with unease, his lips flattening as I did a little wiggle. Feeling ballsy, I flipped him off with a smile.
He blinked before a shadow of a grin crossed his face. Usually, I’d analyze the shit out of that reaction. Did he miss me or was he plotting my demise? The guy had messed me up so much I couldn’t be sure, but it didn’t plague me as much as it did before. But Luca’s words came back to me, how he thought I was a goddess. His compliments warmed me more than anything Eric ever said, and my face heated. Luca didn’t say a lot, but when he did, the words packed a damn punch. Like how he spoke about his grandma? How thankful he was for her and determined to care for her? Eric complained about his family all the time, something that had always bothered me.
I had a new goal and mission, and I couldn’t wait to get started on it.
Now I just had to corner Luca and get his approval because he had straight up disappeared from the house. After Saturday morning, I never saw him. I heard him, sure, with his loud footsteps, but he’d always be in his room or leaving.
I wasn’t paranoid, that would be too extreme, but a part of me, a little bit, thought he might be avoiding me? Which, I understood. But the hot and cold, friends but not friends,let me know when the outline is readybut never answering my textswas getting annoying. Icouldmove ahead without his stamp of approval, but that felt gross. This involvedhislife.
I sat in the back of the lecture hall and texted him immediately.
Lo: Hey, I got permission to move forward with the new marketing idea. Can we please meet to go over it? I have until Friday, and I don’t want to lose three night’s sleep if you hate it.
Lo: If you changed your mind, that’s okay. Just, tell me. You kinda ghosted me?
Lo: Not like, for real ghosted, but I haven’t seen you in real life in days. Just a thumbs up is enough approval. Or even a ghost emoji if you’re feeling frisky.
There. That would be sufficient. He’d either accept or not.
Luca: Where are you
Yes! He engaged! I smiled like a fool at my phone.
Lo: In class, but I’m free in forty minutes. You on the quad?
Luca: What hall
Lo: Follet
Luca: see you in forty minutes
Okay, short and to the point, but hey, this was perfect. I’d go over the plan I made with Mack and earn his approval. Then, it was go time.
* * *
Class dragged on because I was so excited to get started. Usually, I loved Mrs. Gravestone’s lectures, but there was an undercurrent of nerves living under my skin. A minor, miniscule part of me looked forward to seeing Luca. It had been days since we chatted, and I wanted to make sure we were okay.
And to see if the attraction was in your head.
Yes, also a little of that, brain. Knock it off.
I got up from my seat and shouldered my bag just as Eric approached me. I sucked in a breath, hating the immediate rush of heat to my face.
“Hi, Lorelei.”
“Hello.” I kept it professional because I was a goddamn mature adult. My head remained high and my posture straight as I walked toward the exit. “How are you?”
“Okay, are you even able to look at me?” he asked.
“Whatever for?”
