Page 99 of Mud, Love, and Chemistry

“No,” he says, tilting his head to the side. “Someone never sent me her notes for it.”

I slap my forehead. “Shit, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. We can meet tomorrow at that coffee place down the street. If you still want to, that is.” The despondency in his voice hurts my heart.

“Yeah, I think that will be fine.”

“Sounds good.” He finishes his last bites, and leans back against the booth. “That was delicious, by the way.”

I hold my chin up triumphantly. “Told you.”

Chapter 31

The next day, I arrive at Cuppa Joe’s to find Sam waiting for me. He’s standing outside with his coat zipped all the way up, his hood on, and his hands in his pockets. His posture is so rigid, he’d be like a statue if it weren’t for his shaking.

“Are you cold?” I tease as I walk up to him. “What are you doing waiting out here? It’s, like, twenty degrees.”

“Well...” he says through chattering teeth. “I was going to wait inside, but before I opened the door I peeked through the glass and saw Maya behind the counter.”

I gasp. “No way. She works here?”

“Evidently.”

“We can go to the library if you want.”

He shakes his head. “Too quiet and not enough coffee. Besides, you’re here now, so I’ll have a buffer.”

“I’ll do what I can,” I say, saluting him like a soldier. “Come on, let’s get inside before you ice over.”

He laughs, then opens the door and steps inside. I trail in behind, and witness Maya’s elated expression turn sour as her eyes flick from Sam to me. A mild sense of pity takes root in my chest, but I get over it quickly.

Sam and I head to the counter where Maya greets us. I should say she greets Sam, because all I get from her is a curt, “Brynn.” We order our drinks, and Sam tries to pay, but I don’t let him. Since it’s my choice not to meet at his place anymore, I feel like it should be my treat.

“So, what are you two doing here?” Maya asks as she takes my credit card.

“Just working on the study group presentation,” I say.

“Oh. You don’t usually come in here to do that, do you?”

“No, but we needed a change of scenery.” Picking up the house roast she slides across the counter, I hold it up. “And a hot drink to warm up.” I pass the cup to Sam.

“Thanks,” he says. “I’ll go grab a table.”

Maya hands me my card back as she longingly looks at Sam, but she doesn’t say anything. My name is called at the other end of the counter, so I head there to pick up my order, then to the table Sam claimed. I sit down and use a frustrated breath to blow on my hot drink.

“Everything okay?” Sam asks.

“Mhm. I’m glad Maya’s not my lab partner.”

He chuckles. “Maybe we should switch partners.”

“Oh yeah, I’m sure Micah would love that.” I roll my eyes.

“Are you kidding me?” Sam turns between me and his computer, his eyebrows scrunched. “He’d be ecstatic. Have you seen the way he looks at her?”

I stare at him in confusion. “No. I had no idea.”

“That actually doesn’t surprise me. You’re always so engrossed in your work, you don’t notice a lot.”

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