V:

ion starts the

ops into the chair opposite m

is that he's holding

ne in fro

this?"

ffe

n see

hy did

he logo on the side

ffee

t to The

here people go when

t be

that was

ne it as though it might

ink coffee,

at a cof

n't mean I

all because I enjoy wear

oing to explain why you bought this,

I'd do some

e that I almost don't

p. "But if you don't

his fingers touch it.

h the satisfaction in his expr

. Black. No sugar. No crea

mes a r

gs it without mentioning it. Sometimes he sets it down with a ridiculous little

why he kee

in to notice when he hasn't arrived with one. T

ur session runs lo

time I check the clock, it's nearly ele

e time and frowns

need an

kno

are you

and stands. "Because it's late, i

him a

he time,"

y reassuring

my b

been doing it for years. But he's already picked up his bag, an

ut don't make a b

't drea

a few students crossing the paths between the library and the residence hall

n no

're

m f

into my sleeves. "Your teet

are

taking off

n, do

's too big, the sleeves falling past my hands, an

dges before i

d I wa

heard

you give me

you wer

rching for the jok

mpossible,

been

put an arm around me. He simply walks beside me, matching my pace even

relaxing int

ar, I stop beside

nt, a dented bumper, and a check-engine

n't need Mason to point it out.

t the car,

ru

stl

it's a

at's all you

se shoul

The paint. The fact that the engine light

gain. "Sounds like i

I can stop it. He grins bu

jacket and hold

ks,"

ingers brushing mine

re we

and slide into t

he leans down slightly

ou Thu

ay," I

ot to

won

putters before settling

l out. I raise a hand in a small goodby

center with my notebook tucked under my arm

d check the time. Then I catch

attention

g for s

ook

nnounce its price. Her hair falls neatly over her shoulders, and everything about her seems carefu

, and the notebook covered in handwritten notes. Her expression barel

elp you?

shed smile that doe

king for

not he

y face. "You must be the tutor.

ght and pleasant, and someth