“You okay?” I ask, still too dazed to fully process what just happened.
“Me?” She presses her hand to her chest. “Honey, I’m thriving. I’m currently imagining the story you and Professor Biceps-and-Books are going to tell your future children. Professor/student romances are too overdone these days, so you might need to come up with something else.”
I nearly trip over my own feet. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh, please. I saw everything.”
“You were standing outside the room. You couldn’t hear us.”
“I didn’t need to. I could feel the tension between you two from the other side of the door.” She fans herself. “It was hot, and I kind of wished he just cupped your cheeks and kissed you.”
“That’s a jump.”
“No. A jump would be him wrapping your legs around his waist and then pushing all his papers off the desk and taking you right then and there.”
“Stevie!”
“What?” she asks with a laugh. “I can’t even be angry with you about it because I’m happy at least one of us is living the dream.”
“It was not a romantic encounter. He just liked my assignment and offered to read the book I’m writing.”
She stops walking so abruptly that I almost yank her arm out of mine.
“Heofferedto read your book?”
I immediately regret saying it out loud. “I don’t actually have a book for him to read.”
I open my mouth to argue, but she steamrolls right over me.
“And for the record? That’s hotter than if he’d flirted with you.”
“Stevie.”
“I’m serious. A man believing in your artistic vision?” She sighs dreamily. “Disgustingly attractive.”
I shake my head, laughing under my breath as we continue outside.
“So, besides replaying your forbidden intellectual romance for the next six hours, do you have plans tonight?” she asks.
“No.”
“Good. Dining hall at seven. I need to tell you about this unhinged show I started watching. It’s calledThe Baseball Bachelor,have you heard of it?”
I shake my head. “No.”
“Perfect. Then you’ll be just as shocked as I was when I tell you who showed up.” She checks the time on her phone and groans. “Crap. I have exactly five minutes to get across campus before my psych professor starts locking doors again.”
Before I can react, she kisses my cheek dramatically. “See you later, roomie.”
I watch her disappear down the sidewalk with a smile tugging at my mouth.
I never thought trusting new people would feel possible again. Not after everything with Jenni, and how badly I spiraled after trying to become whoever everyone else wanted me to be.
This feels different, though.
As much as I didn’t want to admit it at the time, Zach was right. I was so insecure that I attached to the first person who smiled at me. This time, the relationship has developed over the last three weeks, and it’s based on a mutual interest in books and TV. It’s simple, easy, and dare I say, fun.
I check my phone as I walk back to my dorm, surprised to see a message from Zach.
