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"No way," he says from within the doorframe.
I laugh at the cosmic joke. Because of course it's him. Especially after my bumbling humiliation this morning. Add that combined with the fact that I haven't showered or even brushed my hair today. Someone somewhere in the cosmos is laughing hard. Guess Grant won't be dumbfounded by my blinding beauty now.
"You know what? I'm not really surprised," I tell him when he sits down on the other side of the table, across from me. Good thing he's distanced himself because I'm afraid I don't smell all that great right now. "Fate and I are feuding, and you're my punishment."
He grins in amusement. "You believe in fate?"
"I don't know if I believe in fate exactly. But I don't believe in coincidence either. Anyway, I'm not failing philosophy, so who cares what I believe."
"Another time, because I do," Grant says sincerely. "Are you really failing chemistry?"
"Not yet," I reply, slumping back in my chair. "We have our first test on Friday and I will be if you don't help me pass it."
"What are you having difficulty with exactly?"
"Staying awake."
He laughs. "That could be a problem. Why don't you show me what you're working on."
I may have to continue saying dumb things this entire tutoring session just to keep him laughing. The sound is deep and throaty and comes from a real place. His laughter makes me smile, whether I realize I'm doing it or not. And I must be staring and smiling dopily at him right now because he has to clear his throat to get my attention.
"Did I lose you already?"
"Uh, no," I say, pulling the tablet out of my bag. "I'm here, sort of. I haven't had much sleep the past couple of nights. Sorry if I'm out of it."
"I'll try my best to keep you awake," he says, moving to the chair next to mine so we can review the information on the tablet together.
Oh, I'm definitely awake now.
An hour later, I emerge from our closet, without being kissed. I know that's not what we were in there for, but closets have a reputation for a reason. Grant remained the ultimate professional, even when our knees inadvertently touched or his arm rubbed against mine. He was all about making sure I understood chemistry. Which I did ... and felt. And now, I hate Brendan for his stupid comment at dinner.
Grant is brilliant. And patient--very, very, patient. But I shouldn't be surprised. He's kinda scary-perfect.
"Do you have any flaws?" I ask him when we reach the main level of the library.
"Of course I do," he scoffs. "I could list them for you. Or let you find out for yourself."
"I like a challenge," I reply with a teasing smirk. "Thank you for helping me."
"Let me know how you do on the test?"
"I will. I'll tell you when I see you at the club on Friday."
"Oh, um, I wanted to ask if you wanted to go to the carnival on Saturday."
"We're going," I say with an enthusiastic smile, now that I know he'll be there too. When he presses his lips together, I realize that's not what he meant. "Oh. You were asking me on a date, weren't you?"
"I wasn't going to call it that because you said you don't date, and your chaperone would need to be there, but ... yeah. I was hoping you would go with me. But a group thing sounds good too." He doesn't say the last part with much fervor.
"I'll win you a prize," I tell him, trying to make up for disappointing him.
He smiles weakly. "See you Friday, Lana."
That wasn't the reaction I was going for. I watch him walk out the main entrance, before heading back to the dorm.
I wish I'd known he was asking me on a date before I told him about the group. But... would it have mattered? I shouldn't date. Right?
I have to remember that school's starting up in two months and he won't be working at the country club any longer. He attends a different school. I don't have a car. We'll never see each other. I know this is weak reasoning. But then I look at my thumb, and it's the only reason I need.
