MA

came bouncing up beside me, arms full of notes, a tote bag sl

at me through the sunlight. "You're

ent slide over me like a warm

k. "Sure. And I'm t

. It was still early enough that the sidewalks weren't crowded, just a few stu

alled from behind

this boyish charm that made him seem like he belonged in a high school

d, coming to walk on my other side. "I

Macey teased, nudgin

me. "What about you, Sa

ad. "Depends o

augh that made people want to l

he last of my coffee.

smiled back, but only a little. There was a wall between us-one he

ople, bikes, the breeze catching in the trees. Warm light poured across our ta

yself s

Tinder date-the girl showed up with her mother, apparentl

actically choking on her drink

urt. "It was the most uncomfortable three-course meal of

ame out of me soft and surprise

ased. Like he'd

But she didn't say a word. Just sipped h

sharp around the edges. No secrets, no

my chest, t

s voice. "So, are you seeing anyone? Or

"Depends

his head. "I'm going to

softly, fingers brushi

eady knew-he coul

to pretend. Just

ering her phone and slinging her bag over her shoulder. "Don't

nd took another sl

voice lower now. "You're kind

toward him, raisi

are. You sit there so calm, like nothing ever touches you. Like you're somew

my gaze drop to the table.

d, studying me

surface. It wasn't uncomfortable-but it wasn't easy, eit

ofter now. "Like you're always th

ting his gaze without

erious now. "You're too calm. It's either a traum

m me, the sound short and l

. "Nope. N

ing else. I let the quiet sit

nd picking up her drink. "What did I miss? Yo

aid, offering her a

it go. "Well, we should get moving. Next class is

y dress and cooling my skin. Liam walked with us, still tossing casual remarks and little

ay, and we usually carpooled when the day ended early like this. She dro

ut it?" She asked after a

about

iam. Your secret man who keep

shaking my head. "H

o had a

talk

, and you smiled more toda

on the road. My fingers cur

," she added in

I'm

otally

the radio a little. Just

anging the subje

"Some things are b

felt her still watching me from the corner of her

e a lot of things I

even

ome things weren't for light conversati

gs were m

... and funny... and charm

n to let someone

liked to

t need