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At the last bell, I nodded to Paul as he packed up. “Thanks, Mr. Malone.”
“You’re welcome,” I said. “You’re getting there. Just take your time with the reading and be deliberate. If you find yourself skimming, take a breath and go back one paragraph and start again.”
The problem with Paul wasn’t his intelligence or even his background. It was his ADHD, particularly when it was a subject he wasn’t interested in, or conversely, he thought he had nothing new to learn. That said, the kid was so hungry for knowledge he kind of reminded me of me.
“You got it!” Bag over his shoulder, he was already striding away. It took me a few extra minutes to pack up. I had my own work to do when I got back to the dorm. I also had to do dorm inspections this week.
After disposing of my trash, I headed outside. It was nice enough, I wanted to lose the suit coat and the slacks, but I had enough issues with the faculty and the students taking me seriously when I started TAing that it was just easier to maintain this professional air.
Blue hair stood out like a beacon and snared my attention easily. There was a huge fountain located in the center of a quad. It was turned off in winter, but right now it was flowing and muting some of the noise from the rest of the school. Standing right next to it, KC was laughing at something RJ Wallach said to her.
RJ Wallach.
No amount of telling myself to mind my own business would stop me from interceding. Wallach shouldn’t be on campus. I didn’t think he was a student of the college classes in Obrecht Hall.
“C’mon,” RJ said, nudging her gently. “It’ll be fun. Besides, all work and no play will make Blue a grumpy girl.”
Did those lines or that smarmy tone work on girls? Really? KC didn’t look impressed, but she also didn’t look repulsed.
“Miss Crosse,” I said as I approached. “A word?”
“Ramsey.” RJ turned toward me, and I got a good look at the bruises he currently sported. Well, that might explain who else Lachlan was fighting with. We did not need another run in with the police. “Long time…”
I ignored his outstretched hand. “Not long enough. Miss Crosse?”
Rolling her eyes, KC folded her arms as she paced away from the fountain. “Apparently,Mr. Maloneneeds a word.” The way she said my name shouldn’t be remotely attractive, but the pointed brattiness amused me.
It was significantly better than indifference.
“Want me to wait?” RJ offered.
“Nope,” KC said, turning to walk backwards so she could face him and give me her back. “I have your number. I can call.”
“Can doesn’t mean will,” RJ accused. “Promise me?”
“Nope. Can doesn’t mean I won’t either. See ya.” Then she pivoted to face me. “Are we talking here or do you need privacy to scold me?”
“You think you’re funny.” Holding onto a neutral expression was a challenge.
“I’m hilarious and I want coffee. So come on…” She set off, and I pinned RJ with a look. His slow smirk increased the friction burn from the sandpaper to my last nerve.
Lachlan should have broken his jaw.
Following KC, I didn’t say anything while she ordered her coffee, then waited for me while I placed my order. Then I paid for it before she could.
“I can afford coffee,” she snarked at me, and I chuckled.
“I bet you can afford the whole cart. Doesn’t mean I can’t pay for the coffee.”
“Just as long as we’re clear that I’mlettingyou, and if we end up getting another cup, it’ll be my treat.”
“Those are the rules?” I was more curious than anything else.
“Yes.”
Turning that over in my head, I nodded then motioned to the outside again. It was too lovely a day. I paused just outside to strip off my jacket, and I folded it carefully and tucked it in the bag. Normally, I’d keep it for professional distance, but it was after school hours.
And distance wasn’t something I wanted with KC for this conversation. She watched me curiously as I slung the bag’s strap over my chest crossbody.
