My cheeks burned at the memory. I rubbed the back of my neck as I waited for Mid’s response.
MidQuest: He’s probably more embarrassed by it than you.
Chai03: Doubt it. It was completely my fault… Now we’re about to clock in volunteer hours. We’ll be stuck in the same building for the rest of the afternoon. Pray, I don’t make more of a fool of myself than I already have.
MidQuest: LOL, you’ll be fine. Relax. Be yourself. I personally think she’s incredible.
Chai03: Eh, she’s alright. A 5/10 at best.
MidQuest: Come on, you’re at least a 9/10.
I couldn’t hold back an audible snort. I liked this teasing side of Mid the best. It’s been a while since I’ve witnessed it.
Chai03: A 9/10? What happened to my other point?
MidQuest: You get docked when you call yourself a fool.
Chai03: Makes sense.
“Naomi,” Celeste’s gentle whisper pulled my focus away from my phone.
I looked up to find her manning the counter. Her parents liked her to work on weekends just so she could get out of the house. She obliged since she preferred to avoid most conflicts with her family. Plus, the desk got little action during the afternoon.
“Hey.” I leaned on the counter to talk with her.
“How’s it going?” She didn’t look at the guys, but I knew they were who she wanted an update on. We hadn’t been able to meet in person to talk about my living arrangements since I moved in. But I kept her filled in just like I updated Mid. She got the juicier details, for obvious reasons.
“Interesting.” I gave her a knowing wink, which made her smile. “Tell you all about it later. Got the sign-up sheet? I’ll explain to them how this works.”
The guys got distracted in the main area of the lobby where there were posters for upcoming events and celebrity visitors, most of whom were athletes.
“Yeah, right here.” Celeste’s jaw visibly relaxed when I took the clipboard. “We already assigned them to classrooms since Sam called earlier. I think you should write your name next to Finn’s.”
I raised my brow as I looked at the paper. “English. You want me to tutor English?”
Celeste nodded. “You said you wanted to challenge yourself this semester, right? Plus, I can tell you’re on a roll with him.”
I snorted and then whispered, “I said we finally had a one-on-one. It’s not what I’d classify as a roll.”
She rolled her eyes with her good-natured smile intact. “Whatever. You just sounded happy about it. Like, happier than you’ve been in a while. A crush kind of happy. Which isn’t something I’ve seen since you know who didn’t show up for you know what.”
I put on my best warning look. “Celeste.”
“What?” She shrugged. “I’m only pointing out facts. You like him and he’s a real boy.”
I glanced over my shoulder to make sure the guys were still a good distance away. “Mid’s a real boy, too. I don’t like Finn. I mean, I do, but not in that way. And definitely not when I have unfinished business with Mid.”
“Unfinished business? You sound like a ghost. Ever since you’ve met this guy, it’s felt like a haunting. And not the good kind.”
“I sound like a girl who can only handle one crush at a time. I’m not haunted, I’m patient. Focused.”
Celeste narrowed her gaze. Instead of backing down like she usually did, she surprised me. My best friend grabbed a pen from a misshapen, handmade cup. She flipped the clipboard around and started writing before I could stop her.
“Hey,” I protested when I saw my name next to Finn’s.
“Sometimes, you’re like me.” She smiled, pleased with her handiwork. “Need a little extra push.”
I scowled. “Not this kind of push.”
