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“Culinary Institute.” He seems surprised. “I would have taken you for more of a scholar than a cook.”
“You say that because you’ve never had my cooking. I’m a pretty good baker, too. I make a mean macaron.” I slide my lock off and pop open my locker.
“I can’t say I’ve ever had a macaron.”
“I’m sorry, what?” I swing my shocked gaze up to his face.
“By the way you’re looking at me right now, I’m guessing that’s a bad thing.” His dimples pop, momentarily distracting me.
“It is,” I say once I’ve collected myself enough to speak.
“Well, I guess you’re going to have to make me some and show me what I’ve been missing.”
“I guess I will.” I grab my busted book bag after stuffing all my books inside and turn toward him, clutching it to my chest. “I was planning on doing a little baking this weekend. Maybe I can rustle you up some and bring them in on Monday.”
“You know I’m going to hold you to that, right.” He leans his shoulder against the locker next to mine.
“Lucky for you, I’m not one to make empty promises. If I say I’ll make them, I will.” I shut my locker before clicking the lock back into place.
“Somehow that doesn’t come as a surprise. I barely know you yet I feel like I know exactly the kind of person you are.”
“And what kind of person is that?”
“Nice. Caring. Trustworthy. You know, all the important qualities.”
“I’ve been called worse,” I tease.
Alec opens his mouth to say something else but snaps it closed when Lulu appears at his side.
“Hey guys.” She smiles at me before her gaze goes to Alec.
“Hey,” we both say in unison.
“So Alec, since you’re new to town and all, I thought maybe we could hang out this afternoon. I could show you around some of the cool spots, maybe stop and get ice cream.”
“It’s like forty degrees out,” I interject.
“And?” Lulu hits me with an annoyed look.
“Don’t you have to get home?” I fire back.
“Nope. Told my mom I’m staying after for study group.”
“Study group?” I gape at her. “And they actually bought that?”
“You know my parents. Anything they can do to help me further my education.” She presses up onto the balls of her feet and then drops back on her heels, her attention going to Alec again. “So, what do you say? You wanna go?”
“I guess, yeah, I don’t have anything else planned.” He nods. “Any chance you want to join us?” he asks, though I suspect it’s a pity invite at best.
“She can’t,” Lulu answers for me. “She has to work tonight.”
She’s not wrong, but it still pisses me off. As much as I love my part time job at the local bakery and coffee shop, I have half a mind to call off just to rain on her parade. Of course I would never actually do that, but damn it if I don’t want to.
“Oh, okay.” Alec looks between the two of us before finally focusing in on Lulu. “But first you have to help me find my locker. I’m pretty sure it’s down this hallway somewhere,” he tells her, digging his folded-up schedule out of the back pocket of his jeans.
“No problem.” She snags the paper from his hand. Quickly unfolding the schedule, she rambles off the number. “That’s right down there,” she tells him, handing the paper back. “Come on.” She loops her arm through his. “I’ll show you the way.”
“Okay.” He looks back toward me. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Hope.” He smiles and the action only further deepens the pit festering in my chest.
