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Really?
I can’t help the wide grin that crosses my face before I quickly shut it down. “Is there something I can do for you in return?”
He shifts in his seat, the natural pause in a conversation stretching out longer than it should, and I run my words back through my head. Oh no, it sounded like… Does he think I’m propositioning him? Offering sexual favors in exchange?
“Actually, maybe there is.”
Oh my God, is he taking me up on my unintended offer?
“I… Could you show me what it would take to get into a place like this?”
I blink at him, his comment not what I was expecting. “The Stress Lab?”
“The university,” he clarifies, his left leg bouncing. “If you had to take a test or something.”
He runs a hand through his hair, pushing it back, and it falls forward in waves again before he tucks it behind his ears.
“Are you thinking of applying?”
“No,” he replies almost immediately. “But, you know, if someone was interested?” He ends the word on an upward note, like it was a question.
Is he… nervous?
I thought I had the monopoly on that.
“Yeah, of course. Let me do some research and see what the current requirements are. I applied three years ago, so they might have changed since then.”
He nods, crossing his arms over his chest. “It was just a thought. I know you have to be smart.”
Something in my brain clicks, remembering how last week he’d been a mix of angry and ashamed when saying he’d never gone to college. How he’d said he’s never been good with words, how the email I’d written was smart. Calling mecollege girlin that weird way.
Is he jealous?
“Austin.” I wait until he looks at me, a pang echoing in my chest at how unsure he seems. “If you wanted to go to college, you absolutely could. We can look at your high school transcripts, your financial aid options, any upcoming course offerings. This could be a real thing.”
His eyes widen. “Okay.” He clears his throat, looking away again. “Cool.”
“Maybe we could get together this Friday? I’m free, then.” Wait. What am I thinking? It’s a weekend night. He probably goes out and parties and dates and does actual social things.
“Sounds good. I get off of work at five-thirty.”
Oh, wow. This is happening.
That’s good, though. It’ll be nice to have someone I know across the hall. What if there’s an emergency or something?
“Okay, how about seven? So you have time to drive home and eat dinner and all that.”
He nods. “I’ll be over then.”
Oh, so it’s at my place? Nothing like having guests over to motivate me to actually clean the apartment.
“How about we get started?”
“Sure.”
He settles into a comfortable position in his chair.
“So, we’re learning a shorthand version of the progressive muscle relaxation sequence today. How’s it been going on your own for the last week?”
