Page 7 of Movers and Fakers

Her nose wrinkles.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. You can send me your schedule with the contract, and I’ll compare it with mine. Tonight won’t work.”

“Why?” I ask, just to mess with her. “Are you going out?”

It is Friday, after all. In truth, tonight wouldn’t have worked, depending on the time, I guess. The Shadow Ring has an event, and though it happens past midnight, there’s a lot of preparation that goes into it. Especially when I’m fighting, which I am.

“No, I have rehearsals.” She glances at her phone. “I need to go before I’m late to my next class.”

My brow furrows, and I gesture to her clothes.

“Did you not just come from dance? You can tell me if you have a date, I won’t be offended.” I grin. “Jealous, maybe, but not offended.”

She looks at me as though she’s questioning the number of brain cells I have.

“I have technique and conditioning in the mornings, rehearsals at night, sometimes until nine or ten. Hence why I need your schedule,” she says, like it’s obvious. “I’m going to leave now, before you say something that makes me change my mind.”

She pulls her hoodie back over her shoulder and adjusts her backpack that’s hanging off the other one.

“You don’t want to change your mind, then?” I press, because I can’t help it.

There’s an addictive quality to talking to Aurora. I get a little thrill every time she does or says something I don’t think she would say to anyone else.

She huffs. “It may not be to you, but a hundred thousand dollars is a lot of money. Which I need.”

Her words deflate my mood just a little. I offered the money for this very reason. No average college student in their right mind would turn that sum down. But it’s less fun hearing her confirm that’s the only reason she’s tutoring me.

“So you’re not sticking around because of my dashing good looks and winsome personality?”

Aurora shakes her head in disbelief. “It’s like you want me to think you’re obnoxious.”

“I’m trying to make you laugh, or at least smile,” I say with a smile of my own.

“Try harder,” she says in a tone dry as dust.

My grin grows. Her eyes widen in realization.

“No—” She holds a hand up. “I take that back!”

“Too late, Princess. You’ve thrown down a gauntlet.” I dip at the waist in a bow. “And I, as your loyal knight, accept the challenge.”

“Would you stop?” she hisses. “People are staring.”

I straighten my back and glance around. Sure enough, students and staff alike are casting surreptitious looks our way. I hardly notice it anymore. Growing up the way I did, you get used to the feeling of being watched.

“So I shouldn’t get down on one knee to swear my fealty to you?”

I start to bend down again, and Aurora reaches out, grabbing me by my hoodie to keep me in place.

“Don’t you dare.” Her warning is low, and she keeps looking around, as though someone is going to jump out of the bushes with a camera. I wish I could say that wasn’t a possibility, but it’s happened once or twice before.

We’re closer than I think we’ve ever been before. I look down at her and take a moment to appreciate the rare occurrence. To study her. Her lips are covered in an enticing pink gloss, and her long lashes flutter as she casts disdainful looks toward the people around us. A soft blush covers her cheekbones, whether from the cold or attention or both, I’m not sure. The desire to brush my fingers over her skin hits me like a left hook. Her fingers curl in my hoodie, and I smirk.

“People are going to think you’re grabbing me for other reasons if you don’t let go soon,” I tease.

Aurora lets go, then gives me a little shove that is nothing short of adorable.

“You’re lucky I need this money,” she grumbles.