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He winked, his wide smile full of all the confidence in the world. “Well, you have plans now.”
Dear God. She finally had a date with an available hottie.
Score!
If he didn’t hurry, he was going to be late.
Logan dashed down the last flight of stairs in McCuffrey Hall—the math department—and shoved his way outside the building.
His Linear Algebra professor had kept him a few minutes after class, asking if he’d like to become a tutor. Thrilled by the opportunity since math was his thing, Logan had readily agreed, but he’d shuffled his feet anxiously the entire time Dr. Cookson spent going over his requirements list.
Time ran precariously limited as Logan found his usual bench already taken. Scanning quickly, he tightened his hold on his bag and found another unoccupied bench about thirty feet away.
Paige would pass through this courtyard in moments, and he didn’t want to miss it.
Plopping down, he set his bag beside him and searched for his lunch inside. Finding the PB&J squashed flat at the bottom, he pulled it out along with the envelope Cookson had given him to look through.
Unwrapping his pancaked sandwich, he tore off a hearty bite with his teeth and slid out his new tutoring instructions with his free hand. As he chewed, he read through the curriculum plan Cookson wanted him to follow. It seemed pretty straightforward and simple. He was actually growing excited about this new venture when that familiar prickle of awareness danced across the back of his neck.
Linear Algebra instantly forgotten, he lifted his face and scanned the courtyard.
When he spotted a flash of silky dark hair, he tracked the movement until he caught sight of her.
The breath caught in his throat. And so did his dry sandwich. Groping for the half-empty bottle of water he knew was in his bag, he kept his gaze on her and hastily unscrewed the cap to chug, wetting his suddenly dry throat.
Paige had her own drink and was sucking through her straw while he drained his water. She must follow her own obsessed routine. She always carried an iced caramel latte across the courtyard when he watched her on these days. He could tell what flavor she drank by the color of the cup. The Squeeze had a strange system of color-coding their cups to fit the drink.
He should probably feel guilty about stalking her, finding a spot to camp out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday just to see her for fifteen seconds as she walked across the main courtyard, drinking her iced caramel latte with a smile on her face. But she had bloomed in the past few weeks. Every day he caught a glimpse, he swore she walked with a little more buoyancy in her step, her chin notching just a little bit higher and her smile spreading a little bit wider.
Seeing her transform from a shy freshman too hesitant to enter a room to this stunning beauty striding confidently across campus helped him heal.
Granton had been good for her. And he was eternally grateful his presence here hadn’t chased her off. Whether she realized it or not, she was getting over her brother’s tragic death, maybe even her mother’s too. And that filled him with a certain peace.
He was so lost in watching the healthy stain of contented color splashed across her cheeks, he almost missed the guy walking alongside her until she looked up and said something to him.
A sharp pain exploded within his ribcage as he turned his attention to Reggie Oates, who looked as vividly excited as Paige did while they strolled together.
They liked each other. From clear across the courtyard, Logan could see it as plain as day. Reggie was as into her as she was into him.
He told himself this was good. Paige was moving on, dating guys. It was all part of the healing process. And Reggie was okay. Though Logan couldn’t guess what they’d ever have in common, he at least knew Reggie would treat her right.
He looked away because watching the animation on their faces as they flirted hurt more than he wanted to admit. But when he realized he would miss the last few seconds of seeing her until next Monday, he turned back just in time to see Reggie put his arm around her shoulder and tug her tight against his side.
Together, the pair walked past a building, blocking Logan’s view, but he continued to stare at the spot he’d last seen her.
She was happy. So he should be happy for her. But as he looked down at the flat, half-eaten stale sandwich in his hand, all he felt was empty.
Chapter Thirteen
“THIS IS SO LAME.” Bailey yanked down a dress from her closet, rolled her eyes, and shoved it back onto the rack. “I can’t believe I’m actually getting excited about living vicariously through you. I think it’s about time some guy asked me out.”
“Well, I don’t see how that’s going to happen if you never leave our room,” Tess tossed back, burrowing a path through her own closet.
Bailey flipped her the bird. “Like you go out all the time either, loser.”
“What?” Tess batted her lashes a little too innocently. “Someone has to stay behind and keep you company.”
Amused, Paige munched from a bag of popcorn on Tess’s bed as she watched her suitemates banter back and forth.
