I wince. "Sorry."
"It's okay," she says quickly, too quickly. "It's not urgent. I just-"
I shove my phone under the table. "I'm listening."
"After you left the party, I got a little drunk and I-" she stops when another vibration sets off and I cringe.
Charlottes eyes move to her phone, widening. "Shit, I'm meant to be at work." She rushes up, grabbing her stuff. "I'm so sorry, can I call you later? There's just, something I need to talk to you about."
The way she says it makes my stomach dip.
"Yeah, are you sure you're okay?"
She nods.
I watch her rush out of the cafe. I've never seen Charlotte so frazzled. She's usually so calm and collected, so put together.
It's only when I turn back to the table I realise she left behind both of her coffees.
I pick up my phone, quickly glancing over the notifications to see Asher had text about tutoring at the library and then his third message brings a smile to my face.
actual tutoring Ivy, get your mind out of the gutter.
• • •
I sit at the library table, textbooks and notes spread out in front of me, trying to focus on the material. But Asher is beside me, and I can't help but think back to the last time we were together.
What had it meant? Was it just part of the deal or was it more?
I shake my head, clearing my mind of the confusing questions plaguing me.
No, he said there was one rule. We couldn't fall in love. It's just part of the deal, even if the lines do feel a little blurred right now. I need to focus on tutoring him. That was the deal; I help him with school, and he helps me navigate . . . everything else.
A knee brushes mine under the table, my attention instantly zeroing in on the touch and I look to the body beside mine.
"Asher, pay attention," I murmur, moving my leg away from his.
He grins, his hand skimming mine lightly. "I am paying attention," he whispers back, his knee tapping against mine again playfully.
"Quit it," I say softly. "We're here to study." I give him wide eyes, staring around at the other occupied tables, making sure no eyes are on us, paying too much attention.
He leans closer, his breath warm against my ear. "I am studying," he says innocently, but the mischief in his eyes betrays him.
I roll my eyes, trying to ignore the way my heart speeds up at his proximity. "Asher, seriously. We need to get through this. If you don't get your grades up, they might kick you off the team. I thought you wanted help?"
He finally sobers up, his eyes searching mine as if he wants to say something but decides against it. "You're right," he says, his voice sincere. "I'll stop trying to distract you, even if it is fun watching you blush from the slightest touch."
"Asher," I hiss, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. He laughs quietly.
"Alright, alright. Don't blame a guy for having fun."
Fun? My heart squeezes
This is all just fun to Asher and here I am thinking about whether I'm about to break the one rule he set for this little deal.
We finally dive into the assignment. It's a business project, and I'm explaining the concepts of market segmentation and targeting strategies. I glance up and catch him staring at me intently.
"What?" I ask, feeling self-conscious.
