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“I’m glad it was you,” I whispered.
“Hmm?” he part grunted, part hummed. I felt his chin angle down toward me, but his attention remained locked on Arsen.
“I wondered who would be waiting outside for me,” I explained. “I’m glad it’s you.”
Shifting, he pulled me a little tighter into his chest. “I wondered what was taking so long for you to come out,” he said, still glaring. “Can’t say I expected to see you getting manhandled. What the fuck, Arsen?”
Surprise made me look up. “You know him?”
“She was having trouble with her crutches and slipped. I was trying to help her.”
Ben made a face, then glanced at me, softening his gaze. “That true, baby girl?”
I felt insanely stupid. Clearing my throat, I glanced at Arsen. “I’m sorry. You were so nice and gave me notes, carried my bag.” It was still slung over his shoulder. “And I freaked out.” Grimacing, I glanced back at Ben. “I got nervous and almost fell.”
“It’s all right,” he murmured, reaching up to stroke the side of my hair gently. Turning back to Arsen, his gaze hardened. “What the hell did you do to make her nervous?”
“Ben!” I scolded. “I just told you he was being nice.”
Arsen made a sound. “I shouldn’t have said that stuff. I’m sure it’s weird to have someone know so much about you when you had to ask for my name,” he said, sheepish. “Sorry. I didn’t really think about that.”
“What stuff?” Ben demanded.
“You didn’t do anything wrong.” I assured him. “I’m just jumpy lately. I really shouldn’t have gotten so upset.”
“What stuff?” Ben asked again.
“I just know your major because it’s mine too.” Arsen went on. “And everyone knows you play piano. You’re the best pianist at Westbrook.”
“Well, that’s true.” Ben agreed.
“We have the same major?” I asked, curious.
“Bachelor of arts in music.” He confirmed. “I have a concentration in music science, though.” He waved his hand around the classroom. “Hence the sound recording technology class.”
“I don’t have that,” I said, automatically knowing.
“Your specialty is piano,” Ben answered immediately.
“Then why am I in this class?” I wondered.
Arsen shrugged.
Ben made a sound. “Because you have a big brain and you take shit like this for fun.”
“So, ah…” Arsen began, dividing his stare between us. “Are you two together now?”
Beneath me, Ben went taut.
Confusion swirled through my mind. “You mean you knew all that other stuff but didn’t know we’re engaged?”
Shock passed over Arsen’s features. “Engaged?” he echoed. “I didn’t even know—”
“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” Ben cut him off.
Arsen blinked, then tugged at his lip rings. “Uh, yeah. Actually, I do.” He swung the bag off his shoulder and carried it over. I reached for it, but Ben made a rude noise and shifted so he could take it.
“Thanks.” He was gruff.
