Page 18 of Don't Be in Love

Without picking my head up, I glanced at his shoes. 2021 Beverly Autumn Collection. “Did James get you those?” I asked.

“Who?”

“Your friend, James.”

“You know James?MyJames? Platinum hair, quiet personality?” Confusion wiped across his face.

I responded casually, “Yes, I met him a few weeks ago. I assumed he would’ve said something.”

“No.” He scratched the back of his neck. “Just surprised he wouldn’t tell me. How do you know him?”

“We have class together. You know you could sit down and pick up where we left off while I look for this paper.” I pointed to the chair across from me.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” he asked curiously, still standing. “You could’ve mentioned it.”

“Because this isn’t social hour and—I give up, I’m printing a new paper,” I exhaled with irritation. I slid the tower of textbooks to the side and pulled out my laptop to find the file.

“Do you fancy him?”

I slowly lifted my head up. “Are you kidding? Oh my gosh, you’re not.” I rubbed my temples and stood up straight. “I’ve spoken to James maybe three times. I don’t even like that he knows about us.” I waved my finger between us.

“James is practically a saint. I’m not sure he’s ever lied in his life. A church confessional’s nightmare, truly.”

I didn’t need Dorian to convince me otherwise. The last time James and I spoke, we had a fifteen-minute conversation about how scarves were his favorite piece of clothing.Saintwas encrusted in the shape of his smile.

“If you’re into him, I could always set you two up.”

I pressedprinton my laptop. “I’m not looking to date. I have better things to do than entertain boys.”

“Oh come on, James is a nice boy.” He took a step forward, now trying to plead his case.

Four steps to the printer and four steps back. I held the paper up to his face. “I. Do. Not. Date. Now sit down, time to get to work.”

He grabbed the paper out of my hand and smacked it down on the table, a crease already forming on the page. “So you’re not bringing a date to the Dinner then?”

“The Dinner?” I asked.

“The Annual Townsen Class Dinner that’s in two weeks.” he exclaimed, waiting for my reaction. But no, nothing. Was I supposed to be subscribed to some university newsletter?

He sighed. “The Annual Dinner takes place every autumn to celebrate the new year and new students, like you.”

“And we just…eat dinner?”

“Eat, dance, network. Boring shit like that.”

“If you find it boring, why go?”

“For James, he enjoys it.” He shrugged.

“No one else?” I raised my eyebrows, thinking back on the collection of girls who stared at him twice a week in class.

“What makes you think there’s someone else?”

“There’salwayssomeone else with guys like you.”

“You mean incredibly charming and handsome guys that—”

“Sabrina, I didn’t know you were coming!”Mia’s voice pierced the room from the other side of the door.