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Concentrate, Serena!I silently scream to myself, blinking rapidly, still not saying a word.
"Yes," I say, barely audibly, nervously fingering the beads on my bracelet.
Why does he have such a strong effect on people? I never thought I'd be one of those girls who lose their minds when he's near.
I clear my throat. "Yes, that's me." I force myself to speak louder and more confident this time.
"I'm Dominic," he says right away with a slight smile.
My stomach contracts. That smile fits perfectly with his green eyes. He looks like a movie poster with Jesse Williams.
"I need a tutor for English lit," he continues, bringing me back to earth.
Oh, no, that can't be happening. I can't tutor Dominic Astor. How will I? I can barely force myself to talk to him.
"My schedule is currently full," I say without a hint of a smile and lower my gaze back to my books, pretending to be very busy.
Go away, go away, go away...
"Are you serious? Can you make an exception?" I hear shock mixed with irritation in his voice. I do my best not to look at him, even though I'd like to see his face at this moment.
Of course, he got angry. He obviously didn’t think I’d say no. Who knows, maybe it's the first he’s ever heard it in his life.
"Nope." I shake my head, proud of how easily I rejected his offer.
I begin to move books from one place to another, pretending to check the prices, waiting for him to walk away, but he doesn't.
"What if I double the price per hour?" he insists, standing still.
Is he serious? I raise my head carefully, looking at him again. I don't see a smile on his face, not even a hint of it. He's serious, standing against the desk and looking at me with his arms crossed on his chest as if to say that he's not going anywhere until I agree.
Sam's standing behind him mouthing,Are you crazy?and making a helpless gesture as if I’ve completely lost my mind by rejecting his offer.
Maybe she's right. When will I get an opportunity like this again?
"I make forty dollars per hour," I lie without even blinking, crossing my arms as if it's a battle.
To be honest, I make twenty dollars per hour, and I only have two students. There are not many people who are interested in English literature these days.
At first, Sam's jaw drops to the floor, but then she lifts her thumb as if telling me that I did a good job.
"So that would be eighty dollars per hour. How many hours a week do you need?" I continue at ease, confident that this will get rid of him.
I have two free hours between the bookstore and the restaurant. Usually, I use them to wash my hair and prepare myself for another shift, but if he agrees, I'll just do all of that a little faster.
There's no way he's going to agree. He can find a lot of other tutors for a much lower price...
"Deal," he says and gives me a satisfied smile, the one he uses to make people fall at his feet, unable to resist his charm.
What did he just say? I widen my eyes in surprise, unable to hide my emotions.
"But why do you want me?" I blurt out without thinking and instantly regret it because it sounded so...sexual. As if he wants me as a...woman, not a tutor. Which is ridiculous, I know. "I mean, I..." I try to explain myself but don't know what to say, so I bite my lower lip not to say something inappropriate again.
He smirks slyly and takes one more step closer, looking at me from above. Now only the cash counter is separating us. I swallow.
"I want you because Mr. Spaulding said you're the best." His voice is low and confident, the satisfied smirk not leaving his face as he speaks.
Mr. Spaulding is my English teacher. I'm the only one in his class on a scholarship; that's why he recommends me to all of his students who need a tutor.
