Page 5 of Apparently, I’m Trouble

“What are you doing in a bookstore?” I asked. “I thought you could only read sheet music.”

His brows lifted, and for a second, I almost thought he was fighting a smile, which would’ve been a better look for him than his usual scowl.

With his stubbled jawline and tousled honey-brown hair, he reminded me of a midwestern cowboy who had just moved to the big city to ‘figure life out’. I could picture him in flannel and denim, which wasn’t a stretch considering he already had an actual honest-to-god tan, which seemed like something a man got out in a field while wrangling cattle.

He would’ve fit perfectly in one of Lilly’s horny novels.

Someone just had to get rid of the business-casual polo shirt and dark slacks he was wearing.

I sucked in my bottom lip, thinking about panties tightening, as he stared down at me and said, “I just picked up a book for my daughter.”

I eyed the brown-paper-wrapped book in his fist. “Well, that makes more sense.”

He gave me the kind of nod that would’ve looked better if he had a wide-brimmed hat on his head, and oh my god, what was I doing thinking a thought like that? Lilly and her damn horny novels were getting to me.

“It’s nice to see you again, Mia.”

I scoffed. “No, it isn’t. I know you and the band hated me as much as I hated all of you.”

His lip twitched again, still fighting that smile, but he managed to control it as he said, “I don’t remember saying that.”

“You didn’t have to.”

“I missed rehearsals because I was busy.”

“Busy doing what?”

“Working.”

“On what?”

“My job, which is what I should be doing now.”

I gestured behind me and moved aside. “Well then, don’t let me get in your way.”

Something that almost resembled a smirk crossed his features before he went back to his default setting of unbearably broody.

This man towered over me. Not that that was saying much. Most people did. But his body almost leaned toward mine, like he was a breath away from caging me against the stack of books at my back. A shiver pulsed low in my stomach, and I pushed the thought away as Theo passed by without another word.

I watched him through the glass doors, and finally let out a breath. I didn’t realize I’d been holding it in.

There, I told myself, He’s gone, and I’m fine. No damage done.

Now, if the next semester could hold that sort of luck for me, I might have a fighting chance at getting those spots.

“Okay, let’s focus here,” I muttered to myself. “I just need that book.”

Chapter 2

Theo

“That woman shouldn’t be allowed to teach.”

I watched Mia from across the street as she rushed out of the bookstore with her phone strapped to her ear.

Hopefully, that was the last time I’d see her.

As usual, Mia was rude. I might not have been the easiest person to nail down for that fundraiser, but I didn’t expect her to stand there and glare at me.