I gasp in mock offense. “Are you saying my family stories aren’t fancy enough for your crowd?”
“I’m saying my father might actually have a heart attack, and then my mother would have to find a way to blame me for that too.”
He says it like a joke, but there’s an edge to his voice that makes me wonder just how much truth is hiding behind his sarcasm.
For a moment I consider if I’m making a huge mistake.What if I’m really not strong enough for this?
“Alfie?” I wait until he looks at me. “Why me?”
He seems thrown by the question. “What?”
“You could have asked anyone. Or probably hired someone. But you’re trusting me with this. Why?”
For a moment, something raw flashes across his face. Then his walls slam back up. “Because you offered.”
I study him over my tea, realizing most people probably think Alfie’s just brooding and beautiful, like some dark prince from a fairy tale. But over the last few years I’ve picked up on things about him. I’ve seen how his eyes crinkle when he’s trying not to laugh at Ethan’s jokes. How he quietly reassures people whenever he gets a moment. There’s a softness under all that intensity that makes him more dangerous than any bad boy stereotype.
“That’s it?”
“And you already know too much.” He stands, grabbing his coffee and checking his watch, “I should get going, Hammond wants me in the lab at 10.”
Alfie stops so suddenly I almost crash into him. “When do you finish work tonight?”
“Three AM,” I grimace. Being put permanently on the closing shift has made me question my choices. But it’s still fun, I like working with Becky and James, and the tips really have been fantastic.
“I’ve got research with Hammond until four today.” He seems to be calculating something. “Come over to my place after 5 PM. We can... coordinate.”
The way he says ‘coordinate’ makes it sound like we’re planning a heist instead of a fake relationship. “Alright. I’ll go straight to work after.”
He nods and begins stalking towards the geology building.
“And Tara?” He turns to face me, his expression unreadable. “Thanks, a lot.”
“Right.” I try to ignore the weird flutter in my chest. “No problem.”
He nods once, then heads toward the mural site. I watch him go, wondering what exactly I’ve gotten myself into.
My phone buzzes – Alex, probably telling me about the annoying girl on her internship. For the first time since we met, I’m going to have to lie to my best friend.
Just us, he’d said.
12
ALFIE
Tara Hawkins is in my bedroom. The thought alone makes my head hurt. Troy would fucking hate this—his little sister perched on my bed. Good thing he’s far away at Camp Pinehaven, and Freddie and Ethan won’t be back for hours to pass judgment. Or worse, tell Troy about it. According to our group chat, they’re both out for the afternoon. Freddie’s working and Ethan…
UMS LADS
Ethan
Guys emergency
I may have accidentally joined a cult
I walked in to say hi, and now im a member for a year
Freddie
