"Maybe I just wanted an excuse to hang out with you," I admitted, grabbing another gummy and avoiding her eyes. "And maybe I like the sound of your voice when you’re asking me questions.”
She bit her lower lip, the cards held limply in her hands now. She’d only been here a week. Maybe I was coming on too strong.
"Tray..." Her voice was softer now, uncertain.
The playful energy that had filled the room moments before shifted into something more charged. Her delicious Omega scent took on a spiciness as she searched for what to say to me.
"Sorry," I said quickly, setting the candy bag aside. "I didn't mean to make things awkward. I know you’ve only been here a week. I know you need more time.”
"No, it's not that." She set the flashcards down on the coffee table, her movements careful and deliberate. "It's just all still so new. You guys are so great. You’re everything any sane girl could want. It’s like someone reached into my wildest teenage dreams and yanked it into reality.”
I watched her fidget with the hem of her shirt, and I had to clench my hands into fists to keep from reaching out to her. The unmated Alpha in me was practically slamming its body at the cage holding it back. I wanted her so badly. Every part of me wanted every part of her. She just kept watching me with those impossibly clear and bright sapphire eyes.
“I’m so glad you’re in my reality now, Tessa." The words spilled from my mouth, no time to think them through.
She stayed quiet and I could hear my own heartbeat thundering in my ears. Finally, she had mercy on me. She reached over and wrapped her hand over mine. That wasn’t enough for me. I shifted my hand, moving slowly, and knitting my fingers with hers.
“I’m glad I’m here too, Tray,” she murmured quietly.
I never wanted to stop holding her hand, but Mac walked into the living room then, eyes taking in the scene. The flash cards. The sliced apples. Our position on the sofa.
“Is our resident boy genius showing you that eidetic memory of his?” He moved to the coffee table and snagged an apple.
“Those are my study snacks,” I said in annoyance. Though I’d messed up my act, I hadn’t expressly told Tessa I could pass a class with my eyes closed. Well, no. Not my eyes. Can’t really use a photographic memory without eyes. But, whatever.
“What do you mean boy genius?” Tessa’s voice was dubious. “Tray was really struggling there for a minute. I mean, before he magically knew an in-depth answer without even pausing to think.”
Mac laughed. “Straight A student. Probably would have been valedictorian if he’d given it a morsel more effort. He can pretty much memorize anything if he reads it once.”
“I spent an hour making these, Tray.” Tessa brandished the flash cards at me, then proceeded to toss them unceremoniously into the air. I tried to grab them as if it was a game of 52 card pick-up.
“Not my cards!” I protested.
"Your cards? I made them!" Tessa crossed her arms, trying to look stern but failing as her lips twitched upward.
"Fine, our cards," I conceded, scrambling to collect the scattered flash cards from the floor. "And I wasn't completely faking it. Physics isn't exactly my strongest subject."
Mac snorted. "Yeah, right. You got a 99 on that test you took two weeks ago and then complained about that one point for two days."
I shot him a murderous glare.Traitor.
"You have to admit, acting dumb was a brilliant strategy to spend time with you." I flashed her my most charming smile.
Mac shook his head, biting into another apple slice. "I'll leave you two to sort this out." He looked at Tessa, addressing her directly. “Tray’s Achilles’ heel is tear-jerker dramas. If you want payback, put on ‘Love Story’ or ‘Brian’s Song’. He’ll cry like a baby for hours.”
“You and I need to have a talk about pack brother loyalty, Mac.” I glared at him.
Mac just grinned at me before walking out.
“So, more studying?” I asked hopefully.
“No way,” she shook her head slowly, head tilted, and chin jutted out. “I’m going to find the saddest movie with the most horrible ending and make you watch it right now.”
"Wait, wait, wait," I said, grabbing her hand as she reached for the remote. "I'm very fragile emotionally. You could traumatize me."
"Oh, poor baby," she cooed mockingly, but her fingers stayed wrapped in mine. "The big bad Alpha can't handle fictional characters meeting tragic ends?"
"It's not my fault! I get invested!" I protested, inching closer to her on the couch. "Besides, wouldn't you rather do something more fun than watch me sob into a pillow?"
