I tried paying attention to the class, but the slides sort of all blurred together as I replayed the texts over in my head. Was I really going for it with Finn? It wasn’t like Noah and I were dating. It was more of a one-sided crush on my end. The butterflies fluttered when I remembered him calling me brilliant, though.
Professor Whidden finished up her slideshow before projecting the homework for next class, and then we were free to go. I slipped my phone back into its spot in my waistband, surprised by how quickly the second half of class flew by. Maybe I’d make a habit of texting a certain cupcake-loving magician.
Noah was packing up his bag as I passed his desk, and he looked up with a half smile. I returned it with a bigger one, partly to show him up but also because I was trying to condition him into his own full smiles.
There weren’t any noticeable results yet.
“Not thrilled by the history of opera?” Noah asked in a way I almost would’ve called teasing, and I came to a stop beside his desk. His blazer was brown today, and it did amazing things for his eyes. “I thought I saw you dozing off a few times.”
I swallowed with a wince and looked over my shoulder to pretend I was making sure my backpack was zipped. Somehow the way he said it sounded reprimanding. Then it hit me like a train, and my head snapped back up. “You were watching me during class?”
Noah’s expression didn’t change, but I could’ve sworn his cheeks tinted the lightest shade of pink I’d ever seen. Maybe my crush wasn’t as one-sided as I’d thought.
“Emma…” He trailed off before gathering up his exquisite pens. “You were sitting a few rows in front of me. My eyes may have strayed from the board a few times. It’s straining on the retinas to watch a screen for this long.”
But it was too late for any excuses; I already felt like I weighed lighter than air.
He’d been watching me.
It didn’t escape my notice that maybe I should’ve been creeped out that a guy was watching me during class, but honestly, I just hoped I hadn’t picked my nose while he’d been doing it.
“Hey, I’m not judging,” I assured him. “Actually, I was wondering if you wanted to get some coffee and hit up the library for one last study session?”
I crossed my fingers behind my back in hopes he’d say yes, just in case it actually worked.
“Not tonight,” Noah said, proving my fingers wrong. “I have plans with a friend, but don’t worry about tomorrow. You’re ready.”
I might’ve preened a little this time.
“Thanks. Rain check, then.” I shrugged, trying to play it cool as I fiddled with the strap on my backpack. Now that I’d opened up to the idea of getting to know Finn better, it felt a little easier talking to Noah. The pressure was gone. “Well, have a good night.”
I offered a nod and an equally awkward wave before starting for the door.
“You too.” Noah’s voice trailed after me.
I wove through the desks, wondering if I should mosey on over to the music room and tap out a couple tunes. I had a few hours to kill before bed, and if I went back to my dorm, I’d end up bingeing crime shows or eating my way through a box of Pop-Tarts.
My phone set off another vibration. I held my breath as I pulled it out of my shorts and hungrily scanned the screen.
Cupcake Thief: Next question for the magician-in-training. Why do round pizzas come in square boxes?
The way my heart rate sped up at something as simple as a text scared me a little, but not as much as the smile that spread itself across my face.
“Hey, Emma?”
I froze before pivoting toward the voice and finding none other than Charlie Davenport a few desks over. His smile was cautious, and he shuffled forward as if he were approaching a cornered animal.
I didn’t bother to hide my surprise as my eyebrows shot up. “Hi, Charlie.”
He cleared his throat and set his bag on the desk between us. His gaze darted around the room before meeting mine, and he pushed up his glasses with a smile. “Hey. Are you busy tonight? I was wondering if you wanted to hang out again.”
“Oh,” was my genius reply. He wanted to hang out? Oh no.No, no, no.I shuddered, and my butt clenched from nerves.
I wasn’t sure if that was a normal nervous habit, but clench it did.
“Like a date.” His lips spread into a hopeful smile. “You know… like last time.”
So maybe the kiss-of-cousins hadn’t been as nightmare-inducing for him as it was for me.
