He slips his backpack off his sizable shoulders, a single eyebrow raised. “Told you I’d be back on Wednesday. And I’m fairly certain you found my note, judging by the little yellow ball in that trash can.”
I pointedly refuse to look that way. “You can’t just…markthe table as yours. That’s not how it works.”
“No? How else are you supposed to know it’s mine?”
“It’s notyours,” I grit out, realizing Trevor has a tiny smile on his face. “Do you like arguing with me? Is that what this is?”
“I thought we were talking,” he says calmly, sliding the chair with my backpack out. “You mind?”
“Yes,” I state, not making a single move when Trevor proceeds to carefully set my backpack aside so he can sit down. “And if this is an example of your conversational skills, I think I could do without.”
Trevor laughs, the sound so low and arresting I inhale a startled breath. He sets his laptop on the table, tattooed fingers opening it up before he glances my way. I want to look away, but those dark eyes don’t let me. “I can be quiet if you want.”
Do I want that? The logical side of me is screamingyes, of course I do. I want him to disappear back to wherever he came from so I can return to my usual morning routine of studying without this immensely distracting complication I wasn’t prepared for.
But another part of me hesitates. Because there’s still a smile at the corner of Trevor’s mouth, like he enjoys sparring with me.
Why?
“If you stay,” I say slowly, “you’re going to realize Monday wasn’t a fluke.”
His head cocks slightly.
“I’m not a nice person,” I explain. “I’m not…friendly.”
His lips twitch. “Having opinions doesn’t make you unlikable, Red.”
Oh, this is bad.
Really,reallybad.
“Well, it’s not like I can move you,” I point out. “So…do whatever you want, I guess.”
Trevor seems to accept that as invitation. He settles further into his seat, opening up a file that looks similar to whatever he was working on a couple days ago. I return my focus to 19th-century authors, although my mind strays quickly.
The ping from my phone is welcome.
Lumi: Has your hot library nemesis returned as promised? I can come kick his ass if you’d like.
Me: I never said he was hot.
Lumi: Babe, you were drooling. And it wasn’t because of the jello shooters.
Todd: You were a bit.
Me: No one asked you, Todd!
I huff a breath before typing again.
Me: And yes, he’s here.
Lumi: I’m getting my stilettos.
Me: Oh my God, you are NOT coming to the library at 6:45 in the morning in heels to try to kick this guy’s ass.
Lumi: There would be no try.
Todd: Up top, girlfriend.
