Page 9 of Yours, Unexpectedly

We can talk but I’m staying in that class. I need it to graduate.

Anders

If you wanted to spend time with me all you had to do was ask. I’m at your beck and call, Baby Bardot. *wink emoji*

Shit. He’s so fucking flirty and that is exactly why I’ve avoided having his phone number for all of these years.

“Who are you texting?” Luci’s voice startles me and I nearly throw my phone in the air. “Okay, what the heck is going on, Bex? You’ve been jumpy all night.”

I sag back against the couch because I know there’s no way I’m getting out of this conversation. “Anders Olsson is teaching my Introduction to Acting class.” My head falls into my hands because I can’t look at them for this.

Silence.

And then chaos.

“No fucking WAY,” Riz shouts at the same time that Luci squeals, “This is PERFECT!”

“Perfect?!” Riz sounds about how I feel. “How the hell is this perfect? She’s been avoiding the guy for years, and now she’s stuck in the same room as him multiple times a week.”

Riz is the practical one of the group.

But Luci is our romantic and knows Riz as well as I do, so she’s ready for this argument. “It is perfect for exactly that reason. Haven’t you ever heard of the forced proximity trope? They’ll finally be forced”—she squishes her hands together for emphasis—“to spend time together. Everyone who has ever been in the same room as them knows you can cut the sexual tension with a knife. I can’t wait to see how this plays out!”

Cut the sexua… what the fuck?

“I’m sorry, what the fuck are you talking about?” I ask, out loud this time.

Riz and Luci look at each other sideways. Oh shit. That look means they’ve talked about this before.

“Guys, seriously. What are you talking about?” I’m getting annoyed and my phone has buzzed at least four more times in my lap since we started this asinine conversation. I’m itching to look at it but I want to get to the bottom of this.

Luci is the first to speak. “Well, you have always had a crush on the guy.”

“I have NOT!” I’m panicking. Can they tell I’m panicking?

Riz rolls her eyes. “Cut the shit, Bex. You’ve been in love with the guy since you were sixteen and he first came home with Gabe. And even though you and your brother are both blind to it, Anders is obsessed with you, too.” I’m sorry what? “I honestly don’t know why you both avoid each other like the plague.”

Andddd Riz has effectively blown my mind. I definitely thought I was being subtle.

“I’m not—We’re not… I mean there’s no we, but I don’t… He’s just…” Words are hard right now.

Luci leans over and whispers to Riz, “I think you broke her.”

My phone buzzes again and, in a daze, I look at the messages I’ve missed.

Anders

Let’s meet for coffee.

Do you have a morning class tomorrow?

8 am. Same coffee shop as this morning.

Also known as, Coffee Shop.

If that works for you.

Bex?

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