A voice interrupts from behind. “Interesting debate.”
I turn. Waistcoat guy is wearing a charcoal sweater over dark jeans and observing us with pale blue eyes. I breathe in his scent, trying not to make it obvious. Old books, crisp winter air. Not heady like Calder’s or intoxicating like Tyler’s, but enough to get my attention.
"Julian Cross," he introduces himself, gaze shifting between me and Tyler, and I vaguely notice Anna backing away. "I'm the TA for this course. And occasionally a guest lecturer when Professor Reed needs someone to bore students with ethical frameworks." His mouth quirks slightly, not quite a smile, but close.
Tyler grins. "Julian. Didn't know you were TA-ing this section."
"Last-minute assignment." Julian's attention settles back on me. "Elowen Rowan," he says. “You’ll be pleased to know that the stain came out.”
Tyler’s eyes pop.
Julian's pale eyes blink. "I didn’t mean that how it sounded. It was tea. Chamomile. We were in the café. Not together... I just…It was an accident."
“I spilt my tea over him,” I explain to a smiling Tyler. I mean, I thought I struggled with social cues, but Julian Cross makes me feel like a chat-show host. “It was totally my fault, and Julian was kind enough to pay for a second cup.”
“It was my pleasure.” Julian makes eye contact, so briefly, he almost looks likeI burnt him.
“You kept that quiet, Jules.” Tyler’s eyes are still on me. “No wonder he was trying to guilt-trip you into signing up for debate club.”
Julian flinches. “I would never…”
“I wanted to sign up,” I interject. “It’ll be fun.”
“More fun than bowling?” Tyler asks. It’s a genuine question. His brows are furrowed even though he’s still smiling.
“I…”
“On a par, I think she’s trying to say,” Julian steps in. “Which is why I’ve decided to sign up too.”
“Whoa.” Tyler claps Julian’s shoulder with one hand. “I never thought I’d get you in a bowling alley. Who are you, and what did you do with last year’s Julian?”
Julian gives a small smile. “I think he decided to broaden his horizons a little.” He walks off leaving me alone with Tyler.
“Wise choice.” Tyler faces me, and his energy shifts a little, and takes a serious turn. “Must be the year for broadening horizons. Calder convinced me to help him repair the greenhouse.”
“He did?” I swallow hard. “Why? I mean when?”
My thoughts are chasing themselves around my head. Is Calder done with the greenhouse already and handing the work over to Tyler? Or is he planning on getting it completed quicker with two pairs of hands so that he doesn’t have to spend time with me? Either way, it looks as if I won’t be seeing him around much anymore, and that stings.
It shouldn’t, but it does.
“Call it a project.” Tyler shrugs. “We could discuss what needs doing over lunch.”
The way he asks kicks up the butterflies in my chest. Then I remember the girl he was speaking to on his cell in town, and I instinctively clutch my bag in front of my chest. A physical barrier until my brain reads and digests the ‘no distractions’ memo.
“I’m meeting Lila. My friend. Well, I only just met her when I got here, but we arranged to eat lunch… together… today…”
Tyler’s smile lingers. “The girl who was buzzing like a toddler on a sugar diet when she signed you up for bowling?”
“Ye-es?”
“Will she mind if I join you?” He’s persistent.
Lila wouldn’t mind at all; I saw the way she looked at Tyler when we saw him in town like Austin Abrams just happened to be in Elderwood Hollow. But I haven’t arranged to meet her. And Tyler will know I lied if he comes with me.And he has a girlfriend…
“I don’t know. Maybe. She was getting a health check today.” Wow, the lies keep on coming along with the heat in my cheeks. “We spoke to Gideon Stockwell in town.”
Why? Why did I feel the need to mention that? I’ll be handing over Gideon’s business card soon and getting him involved in whatever Gideon thinks is going on.
