Page 78 of Don't Be in Love

“That’s different. I sit in front of you.”

“Well, if you start showing up at tutoring again then that won’t be a problem.” I directed my gaze at his tie, feeling the urge to fix it.

“I wasn’t sure after the library incident if you’d want me to.”

I opened my mouth and then closed it. I had played the kiss in the rain and the masquerade and being stuck in that nook with him so many times that it grew more dramatic each time I thought of them.

“We have a deal, I haven’t forgotten,” I said, and flattened his tie.

His hand wrapped around mine on the fabric, forcing me to look up. “Just because we have a deal doesn’t mean I don’t respect your boundaries.”

I wish I could avoid his gaze. But he was magnetic, constantly pulling me in, even when he didn’t mean to. Then he trapped me with that hauntingly handsome, serious look.

“Got it?” he asked.

I nodded.

“If you’re okay with me coming Monday, then I will. You don’t have to say now. Just let me know beforehand. Or during. Whenever you want to see me, I’ll come.”

“Alright,” I responded, too dazed to muster up anything else.

“What are you doing Saturday?”

I laughed. “We don’t meet on Saturdays.”

“I know. My question still stands.”

“Well, it’s my birthday.”

“I know.” His lips lifted with a slight smile “That’s what I was getting at: do you have any plans?”

“Who told you it was my birthday?”

“What makes you think someone had to tell me?” he contested.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m going out with Dotty and Iris.”

“Will you be busy the whole day?”

“I’m not sure yet, why?”

He shook his head with an embarrassed smile. “Because I’m trying to ask you out, Adelaide.”

My shoulders fell.

“No, I know what you’re going to say, and I didn’t mean it like that. You’ve dealt with me all semester and we’ve seen each other almost every day. I don’t want to miss your birthday. I want to be there. As a friend.”

A friend. I guess that’s what we became in a weird, twisted turn of events.

There were so many things wrong about saying yes. But he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. And honestly, I didn’t want him to accept my no.

“I’ll be working for the day, so you can join us for dinner after, if you want,” I offered.

“When and where, I’ll be there.”

“Bookstore, six o’clock.”

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