Page 48 of Written in Scent

Adrian’s eyes brighten with genuine interest. “Entomology,” he repeats, like the word itself fascinates him. “That explains the notebook and the determination to reach that biology book.”

I manage a small nod, suddenly very aware of how close he is standing and how exhilarating his scent feels alongside the chaos of the emptying stadium.

For the first time since the library, I’m looking at him without the haze of a heat spike clouding everything.

Sophie tilts her head, eyes sparkling with that familiar mischievous light. “You two have such similar science courses,” she says aloud, voice falsely innocent. “Do you share any classes?”

Adrian smiles, soft and genuine. “We do, actually. I’ve seen Elodie in our shared Research Methods seminar all semester.”

My face burns instantly. I didn’t know he was in that class. I’d noticed him in General Biology, the studious boy with the wire-rimmed glasses and neat handwriting, but the reminder of how close we had been sitting all this time hits differently now. Especially after the library.

The memory of his hands on me, his scent flooding my senses, and the way I had lost control flashes hot across my mind. I feel the blush spread all the way to my ears.

Sophie cuts in again before I can recover, leaning forward with perfect timing. “Elodie could always use a study buddy. Maybe you two could work on Research Methods together sometime?”

She says it so casually, but I know exactly what she is doing. She is setting us up for a study date right here in front of him.

Adrian looks at me, and his smile turns heartbreakingly cute, it makes the corners of his eyes crinkle behind his glasses. “Would you like that?” he asks, voice gentle.

I’m so flustered I can’t find a single reason to say no. My mouth opens, closes, then opens again.

“Yes,” I manage with only a slight wobble. “The library tomorrow? Noon?”

Adrian’s smile widens. “Tomorrow at noon works perfectly.”

I’m still blushing when Sophie bumps my shoulder lightly, looking far too pleased with herself.

And just like that, I have a study date with Adrian Sinclair.

Chase’s deep voice cuts through the noise of the thinning crowd.

“Adrian!”

We all turn at the same time. He’s striding toward us with that powerful, purposeful gait, his Whitmore jersey stretched across his broad chest and his chocolate brown hair still blowing in the breeze. Even from a distance he seems larger than life.

The realization hits me hard. The crowd has mostly cleared now. The stands are emptying fast, and the open space around us suddenly feels too big, too exposed. Chase towers over the railing, and with so few people left I feel strangely vulnerable standing here with Adrian and Sophie. My heart picks up speed for an entirely different reason than it did during the game.

Adrian smiles easily and gestures between them. “Sophie, this is Chase Bennett. Chase, Sophie is Elodie’s roommate.”

Sophie gives a little wave, but Chase opens his mouth to speak, his deep brown eyes already locked on me.

I don’t give him the chance.

“We should really get going,” I blurt out, the words tumbling over each other. “Sophie and I have plans. It was nice seeing everyone.”

I grab Sophie’s arm before anyone can respond and turn us both away from the railing. My feet move fast across the grass, pulling her along with me. I don’t look back. I can’t.

Sophie lets out a surprised laugh but keeps pace, her arm linked tightly through mine.

“Elodie,” she whispers, half teasing, half concerned. “You’re running.”

I don’t slow down.

I just keep walking as fast as I can, heart pounding, until the pitch and the alphas and the overwhelming weight of everything I felt today are far behind us.

The second Elodie grabs Sophie’s arm and bolts, I feel the frustration hit me like a truck.

I groan loudly and drag a hand over my face, rough stubble scraping against my palm. My shoulders slump as I watch the two of them disappear into the thinning crowd without so much as a backward glance.