Page 36 of Any Port in a Storm

His eyes don’t leave my face. “I think I’m starting to get an idea.”

The intensity of his expression is leaving me scrambling for purchase and failing miserably. “Well, good,” I choke out.

“Indeed,” he hums. “How are things with Sam?”

I look for any indication that he’s jealous, but his expression is as cool as they come. “Sam’s great. We’re going apple picking next weekend, over in Natick.”

Nick snorts. “Apple picking is a waste of money.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re paying for the privilege of doing manual labor.”

I draw my lips into a line. “And what do you and Alyssa do for fun? Stay up late planning your history lectures?”

He shoots me a devastating grin. “You already saw what Alyssa and I do for fun.”

Something stirs low in my belly. “Are you trying to upset me?”

“Why would what I do with other women upset you?” His eyes are tight on me, like he’s daring me to break first.

I shake my head. “You’re right. It wouldn’t.”

His expression softens. “Good.”

“Good.” The adrenaline slips away. “I should go.”

“Right. You have your essay.”

“I do.” I take a step backwards, cursing my brain for the incredibly ill-timed image of Nick pressing me up against a tree in the quad. “I’ll see you later.”

“Later, Laur.”

“He doesn’t even care,” I’m telling Grace later. “He’s a TA and a doctoral candidate, and he’s acting like a horny teenager in public. It’s disgusting, honestly.”

She raises an amused brow. “Forgive me if I’m having a hard time believing that’s why you’re upset.”

I freeze with my coffee mug midway to my lips. “What do you mean?”

“Come on, Laurel. You’re jealous.”

I shake my head. “I’m not. I’m with Sam now, remember?”

“I remember.” She lays her pen down on her desk. “And I know you said he makes you happy.”

“He does,” I cut in. “He’s incredibly charming. And surprisingly driven. Did I tell you that he’s got an internship with a financial advisory lined up for summer?”

“You did,” Grace says. “If you’re happy, then I’m happy.”

“I think—” I pause, not sure how to continue. “I think Sam is what I need right now.”

She nods. “If you’re sure.”

“Even if I weren’t—which I am—Nick made it very clear that he doesn’t see me in that way.” An intrusive image of Nick sweeping his hand through Alyssa’s hair elbows its way back to the forefront of my mind. “And, honestly, given what I saw yesterday, I’m not sure I see him that way, either.”

Grace wrinkles her nose. “Witnessing him as a sexual being was that much of a turnoff for you?”

I sink down onto the couch and put my chin in my hand. “I think Nick could destroy me completely.”