Page 1 of Stolen Moments

Chapter 1

Priya

The email arrives at 11:47 PM on a Tuesday, which is exactly the kind of timing that makes me want to scream into the void.

Subject: Advanced Human Anatomy - Model Assignment

Dear Ms. Sharma,

For your senior capstone project in Advanced Human Anatomy, you have been assigned Jackson Rivera as your anatomical study subject. Please coordinate with Mr. Rivera to schedule your required observation and mapping sessions (minimum 20 hours over 8 weeks). Remember, this project accounts for 40% of your final grade.

Your first session should be completed by Friday.

Dr. Patricia Morrison

I read it three times, certain I’m hallucinating from lack of sleep. Which reminds me, I need to sleep.

Jackson Rivera. The Jackson Rivera. Thornhill’s left wing known for aggressive play, that infuriating smirk, and a body that’s⁠—

No. Stop. This is professional. Academics. I’m a pre-med student studying human anatomy, not some undergraduate who gets flustered by attractive athletes.

Except Jackson Rivera isn’t just attractive. He’s the kind of attractive that makes even Professor Morrison pause mid-lecture when he walks past the science building. Six-foot-two of muscle and attitude, covered in tattoos that peek out from his clothes, riding that motorcycle that violates at least three campus regulations.

He’s also failing Chemistry. Which means in addition to studying his body for anatomy, I have to tutor him twice a week as his assigned Teacher assistant.

Twenty hours mapping every muscle on his body.

Eight weeks of tutoring sessions.

I’m going to die. Actually die.

My phone buzzes. Text from an unknown number.

Unknown: Heard you got stuck with me for anatomy. Sorry in advance.

My heart does something stupid in my chest.

Me: Is this Jackson Rivera?

Unknown: The one and only. Dr. Morrison gave me your number. Said we need to schedule our first session by Friday.

Me: Yes. The email said a minimum of 20 hours total.

Jackson: 20 hours of you studying my body. Sounds fun.

I can practically hear the smirk through the text.

Me: It’s purely academic.

Jackson: Sure it is, Sharma. When works for you?

I check my schedule, clinical rotations Monday and Wednesday mornings, TA hours Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, volunteering at the health center Friday evenings, studying every other waking moment.

Me: Thursday after my TA hours. 5 PM at the anatomy lab?

Jackson: I have practice until 6. How about 7?

Me: Fine. Don’t be late.