Page 17 of His Reckless Freshman

“Wow, really? Thank you.”

“Of course.” He nods. “And if you want, I’m happy to get together with you after the interview. Help you refine what material you’ll include in it.” He stands from his desk, smoothing down his shirt as he walks around it.

The air in the room starts to shimmer as he approaches me, and I hold my breath for a quick second, soaking him in. Button-down shirt, thin brown belt, dress pants… and a pair of white Converse. I love it.

“Why don’t you meet me here afterward? I’ll take you out for a bite, and you can tell me all about it.”

I let out a soft titter, dipping my chin and murmuring, “Sounds like a date.”

“Maybe it will be.”

My head shoots up, my eyes bulging at him.

But he just gives me that sweet smile again and… oh my gosh, I think he’s serious!

He’s asking me out?

On a date?

My heart starts to skip and jump, thudding erratically as I struggle to form a coherent sentence.

Guys never ask me out.

I’ve always wanted them to, but in high school, I was the girl you looked over… or looked past. I’m skinny and awkward and kind of weird. Guys don’t want to have to deal with that.

But Kieran—Mr. Editor in Chief—is standing there looking completely serious.

Holy-Ja-Moly.

“Um… s-sure. Okay. That sounds… nice. I mean great. I mean wonderful.” I let out a breathy laugh.

“I look forward to it.” Kieran brushes past me, our arms connecting for a brief second as he reaches for the door and pulls it open for me. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yes, you will.” I giggle again, because that’s apparently all I’m capable of right now, and slip back into the office space.

Totally forgetting that there are other people in the room, I do a little twirl… and bump straight into Carina.

“Oh! Sorry.”

She steadies my shoulder with her hand. “That’s okay,” she says, then eyes me up like she’s trying to figure out what I’m up to.

I rush to explain. “I got an interview for my article, and I just wanted to give Kieran an update. He was really impressed.” I blush, my insides jittery as I release yet another giggle.

Carina’s eyebrows rise. “Was he now?”

“Actually…” I lean forward and whisper, “He kind of asked me on a date. We’re going to meet up after my interview, and he’s going to help me sort out all my material for the article.”

Her expression pinches, immediate concern crossing her pretty face.

“What?”

“Just…” She sighs, placing her hand between my shoulder blades and moving me to the other side of the room, away from Angelica. “Just be careful.”

“What do you mean?”

“Kieran is…” She shakes her head, and I try to figure out what she’s not saying.

“I know it’s awkward around here,” I fill in for her. “I’m guessing you’re Team Angelica?”