Her voice is several octaves higher than its natural gravelly tone. I laugh because she’s too cute. “He did. I think he was in shock.”
“That’s fair.” She grins. “So let me get this straight. If I manage to do this bloody 5k run, I get out of gym for the whole of next semester.”
“Yup. You’ll have passed gym, and will have time to catch up on any other homework during the class.”
“Well, shit, that’s awesome.”
Now it feels more natural. Eden cursing and using her British slang means she’s back to herself again.
I lean forward. “But you actually have to do the run first.”
The joy on her face recedes at an alarming rate, making me laugh out loud. “Bollocks.”
The server places our food on the table and leaves. Eden stabs her fries in sauce before nibbling on them. I’m transfixed on her mouth. How she’s not realized I’ve got a massive crush on her is almost laughable. The closer I am to her physically the more blatant I am, and not on purpose. It’s completely involuntary.
“Go on then,” she suddenly says, jerking me from my reverie. “Explain the torture you’ve devised.”
“God, you’re as dramatic as Becca. Relax.”
“I’ll say the same to you when you’re learning to paint,” she shoots with a playful smirk.
“And I’ll listen.”
We spend a few seconds staring at each other, and I get butterflies. Eden breaks contact first, slipping her gaze back to her food.
Clearing my throat, I rattle off my plan. “It’s really just a lot of walking to begin with.”
“Won’t it kinda be out of your way, coming over in the morning?”
“It’s no big deal. I think it’s the best way to maximize our time.”
“You want to start tomorrow?”
I was going to suggest Monday, but I’m more than happy to start early. “Sure.”
She looks at me again with inquisitive eyes. “I don’t know how you’ve got me agreeing to this, Sloane. Really, I don’t.”
The smile blooms on my face before I can get my features under control. “I’m gifted that way.”
“Or a witch,” she says, narrowing her eyes.
Sniggering, I wipe my face to give my hands something to do. “Call it witchcraft, or natural talent, either wayyou’re doing it. I should probably get your number. In case of emergencies or changes in the schedule.”
That was smooth, right?
Eden pulls her cell out and hands it over. Her wallpaper is a paint splash of rainbow colors. Opening her contacts, I add my info and press save.
“I’ll message myself.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I have Eden’s number. Holy shit.
5
Eden
Boots or sneakers. Boots. Or. Sneakers.
A conundrum that’s had me stumped for the past twenty minutes. I’m not at my best in the mornings.
