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He smirks. "Yeah, yeah. Open up that laptop and get to work."
I follow his directive and reach down to retrieve my laptop from my backpack, which is sitting on the floor beside me. Liam settles in on the opposite side of the couch. We work diligently for a few hours, occasionally pausing to seek each other's thoughts and opinions on our assignments.
Liam finishes his work before I do and starts on another class assignment while I keep typing. I'm just a sentence away from completing my assignment when I hear footsteps approaching.
I immediately recognize the tall, auburn haired guy as Marshall. His heavy footfalls signal his arrival as he stomps into the living room, only to pause when he notices me. His eyes shift to Liam, presumably seeking an explanation.
"This is Sutton," Liam introduces me to Marshall.
Marshall grins and nods. "I knew that."
"We have class together," Liam continues, not missing a beat.
Marshall playfully retorts, "I also knew that."
Liam's patience wanes. "Then why are you standing there like you're confused with what's happening?"
Marshall quickly catches on, asking, "Is this why you asked who was at home?"
Liam nods. "Yes. I didn't want Sutton to be overwhelmed."
"That makes sense," Marshall agrees before hopping over the back of the couch and casually kicking his feet up to rest on the coffee table. He positions himself between me and Liam.
Marshall directs a wink in my direction, which would usually make me blush, but for some reason, it doesn't faze me. It's weird.
He clears his throat and greets me with a friendly smile. "It's good to see you again. Not under a table this time."
I genuinely laugh at his humorous take on the situation. "That was not my finest moment," I admit.
"Nah, it was cool. Do you know how many times I've wanted to crawl under a table to hide from someone?" Marshall responds, trying to put me at ease.
Liam chimes in, "Too many to count."
Marshall then turns his attention to Liam. "What about that guy you want to ask you out, but you turn the other way when you see him?" He asks, a teasing smile playing at the corners of his lips.
Liam's jaw drops in mock outrage. "That's different."
Marshall raises an eyebrow. "How?"
Liam stammers, "I don't know him."
"But you like him," Marshall points out.
"I like the idea of him," Liam confesses, speaking my inner thoughts.
Marshall's smile widens. "I say, screw him, and then you'll know if you like him."
Liam shakes his head. "Is that what you do with girls?"
Marshall grins mischievously. "Negative. We screw for fun. I don't want to get to know them."
I can't help but laugh at their banter, feeling more at ease in this unexpected situation.
Liam shakes his head in mock disappointment. "Marsh, you give the worst advice."
Marshall's brows furrow in a look of genuine confusion. "Really?"
There's no way he believes any of what he just said could be taken as serious advice.
