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When Holden offered to study with me after my classes today, I got an embarrassing bout of nervous butterflies plaguing my stomach until the end of my last lecture. I hadn’t even been able to eat.
It wasn’t that I feared Holden—but a new environment and social rules always freaks me out.
Still, the coffee shop is warm, just off campus and cozy. There are a few couches in the front corners near the windows, small bookshelves there, and lines of booths and tables throughout the rest. I follow behind him as he steps up to the counter to order.
“My favorite girl,” he says coyly, sliding his palms flat on the tabletop. “How are you today, Ro?”
The girl at the counter, Ro, I assume, is tall and elegant looking, with a long swirling mass of ringlet-like curls dripping down her back like a waterfall. She’s so unbelievably gorgeous, in a cute multicolored sweater, with butterfly clips pinning her hair off her face.
“Holden,” she says. “Good to see you.”
Her eyes flicker to me and her smile widens.
“Hey, I’m Ro,” she goes on, her voice like twinkling bells.
“Lily,” I say, giving her a hesitant smile.
Holden swings an arm around me. “I’m buying your coffee—so whatever you want, Lily.”
“Oh, I haven’t looked—”
“Take your time,” Ro says, handing me a laminated menu. “And let me know if you have any questions or want a suggestion.”
Holden gives me a smile, too, but then turns back to the girl at the counter. “Where’s Freddy? I’m surprised he hasn’t popped up from behind the counter to beat my face in for flirting with his girl.”
Ro blushes and shakes her head. “You’re not flirting with me.”
“Do you want me to?” Holden asks, eyes flaring.
I’m too busy watching them, I’ve barely glanced at the menu, before Ro looks at me again.
“The brown sugar latte is good,” she offers and relief pours down my spine.
“Okay,” I agree. “That sounds good. One of those, please.”
She keys something into the register, as Holden tells me to grab us a booth or table. Only, when I turn around, there’s someone in the open booth, arms crossed, watching me.
I stomp over, unfurling my fists. “What are you doing here?”
“I got your results from the test when I put in the data for Cipher,” he retorts, staying on the edge of the booth, legs spread as he flexes his arms where they’re across his chest. “Why haven’t you asked for a retest?”
“I did.” I grit my teeth.
“Yeah? And what about a packet? Your notes—”
“What are you doing here?” Holden asks, all happy surprise, already sipping on the iced drink in his hand, despite the low temperature outside. It’s only then that he seems to take in our stance, arms angrily crossed, glaring at each other.
And it’s only then that I realize I’m standing nearly between Toren’s spread legs.
I step back quickly, almost falling over in my haste. He stands and I maneuver quickly around him.
“Don’t you know?” Toren smirks. It should be annoying, but he’s so attractive it only serves to make me overly warm. “Lily is my student.”
Holden looks at me, eyebrows shooting to his hairline.
“He’s my algebra TA,” I explain, sliding into the booth. “And he’s leaving.”
“Actually . . .” Toren begins, shifting to my side of the booth and sliding in until his entire thigh is pressed to mine beneath the table. Holden takes the opposite side with his eyes nearly beaming out of his skull as his gaze ping-pongs between us. “I’m gonna stay,” Toren finishes.
