"Yeah, sorry. I . . . have something." She stands abruptly, gathering her things with an air of urgency that makes my stomach twist.
"Is everything alright?" I ask, trying to keep the concern from sounding too heavy, but it's there, plain as day.
"Yeah, just an appointment." she mumbles, still not meeting my eyes. Her fingers press into the cardboard cup hard enough to bend it slightly.
That's the second time she's mentioned an appointment. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Her eyes finally settle on mine. "Yeah, I'll be fine." She turns then and makes for the door and it's only after she's gone I realised she didn't say she was fine. She said shewillbe fine.
I glance at the empty seat across from me, the awkwardness of the whole encounter still lingering in the air.
Before I can dwell on it too long, Leon walks in, his tall frame unmistakable as he spots me and makes his way over. He slips into the seat across from me, taking Charlie's spot, and frowns.
"Where'd Charlie run off to?" he asks, glancing over his shoulder toward the door.
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "Something came up, I guess." I shrug. "Appointment. She didn't really say."
Leon raises an eyebrow but doesn't press it. He leans back in the booth, eyes narrowing as he looks around the café. "What are you doing here anyway?" I ask, crossing my arms. "I thought you didn't like the coffee here."
He shrugs, arm stretching over the back of the chair as he gets comfortable. "Thought I'd give it a second chance."
"Uh-huh," I say, not quite believing him. Leon is a creature of habit, and this café has never been on his list of places to be. "Right." I give him a weird look that he ignores.
We sit there for a moment, the two of us quiet as I mull over what just happened with Charlie. It doesn't make any sense. She's never been like this before.
Leon watches me for a moment, his eyes flickering with concern. "You two okay?"
"Honestly? I have no idea," I admit. "She's been acting weird lately. Distant." Leon shifts in his seat and shrugs.
"She'll come around," he says confidently, but it doesn't ease the knot in my chest. He glances at the time, then back at me. "You're going to be late."
I check my watch and groan. "Shit, you're right. I've got class in ten minutes."
Leon smirks as I grab my bag. "Don't let me keep you, then."
"Yeah, yeah. I'll catch you later." I give him a wave and hurry out the door, my thoughts still on Charlie as I make my way tocampus. Something's going on with her, and I need to figure out what it is before it's too late.
• • •
I can feel Asher's eyes on me, dragging over my face, neck, and shoulders like a physical touch. It's almost distracting enough to make me lose focus, but I keep my gaze on the notes in front of me, pretending not to notice. After a long minute, I glance up, raising a brow.
"What's wrong?" I ask, the words coming out more casual than I feel.
He just smiles, a lazy, knowing smile, and goes back to scribbling in his notebook.
I narrow my eyes but decide to ignore it, shifting my attention back to the textbook in front of me. The library is quiet, the only sounds coming from the occasional page turning or someone typing on their laptop. It's the perfect place to study, but with Asher sitting across from me, his eyes lingering like that, it's hard to concentrate.
A moment later, I feel it-his hand, warm and steady, slipping onto my thigh under the table. My eyes flick to his, and he just grins at me, not saying a word. I glare at him, whispering, "We're in the library, Asher."
He doesn't respond, just squeezes my thigh before his hand disappears like it was never there. I swallow, trying to focus on the pages again, but my heart is racing.
He sighs after a moment, stretching his arms over his head. "I need a book," he mutters, almost too casually.
I roll my eyes, suspicious of him. "Then go get it."
He doesn't move for a second, his gaze lingering on me like he's savouring the moment. "Yeah," he finally says, standing up. "I'll be right back."
"Good," I say, eager for the break from his presence, if only to give myself a chance to calm down. I need to focus-on anything other than the way my best friends brother is making my panties wet and all he's done is smile at me.
