Page 55 of Don't Be in Love

“Mia is working late tonight.” He responded with a smug smile.Try again, it said.

“You’re smarter than you look.”

“Is that how you’ve assessed me?”

“Assessed you? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that I’ve caught you staring at me a few times.”

“I have not.”

“Oh, we’re lying now?” he cocked an eyebrow.

“Everyone looks at you, you’retheDorian Blackwood,” I waved my hands.

He rolled his eyes. “I know why everyone else looks. I want to know whyyoulook.”

“We spend three nights a week studying together, Dorian. There’s nothing flirtatious about me making sure you’re paying attention.”

“You’re a terrible liar.”

“What do you want me to say? That you’re insanely hot?”

“If that’s what comes to mind, then yes.”

I smacked his arm but laughed anyway. A quiet pause built between us as our laughter died. Swaying trees and rustling leaves frazzled by the rain filled the space. But it wasn’t loud enough for me to ignore the sound of his breathing or the beat of his footsteps.

“How’s your laptop working?” he asked.

“Good, thankfully,” I said appreciatively. “How’s your art class? Arnold any closer to asking Poppy out?”

“It may be another five years until Arnold gathers up the confidence to talk to Poppy, let alone ask her out.”

“There’s no way that’s possible.”

“You obviously know nothing about Arnold.”

“His crush will fizzle out at some point.”

“Says who?”

“Says the attention span of men.”

“I think you’re talking to the wrong men then.”

The umbrella shuddered slightly. I glanced up at him expecting a smirk, but there was none. Earnest was the only word that came to mind. His face softened. No pull at the corners of his lips or tension in his jaw. It carried all of my attention to his eyes where all of the light came from. Just as the windows bled light in the dark now.

I focused on my Mary Janes, bringing us to a normal walking pace again. His face made my cheeks ache. As if I had eaten too many madeleine cookies.

He cleared his throat. “Did you talk with James yesterday?”

“Why?” I startled.Did James tell him I asked about Victoria?

“Didn’t know if he told you about the Halloween Party.”

“Since when were there Halloween parties in the UK?”

“Since you told James how much you love them apparently. But based on the look on your face, I’m missing something?”