Page 54 of All at Once

My cheeks get all tingly, knowing he noticed I wasn’t there. “No,” I explain, “I got the worst fucking cramps that don’t seem to be going away anytime soon.”

His eyes soften. “Oh I’m sorry,” he says, looking as if he’s about to get up. “Did you need any pain medication? I can go get you some.”

“That’s okay. Thank you.” A warmth fills my chest at such a simple offer.

I realize how he’s not reading yet. Instead, he’s engaged with his phone before I notice him smile at his screen moments later.

I immediately wonder if he’s texting someone. A girlfriend? Or maybe one of the women from the club that seemed to be madly in love with him?

As I’m finishing another application I hear Luca ask, “Any luck with the job search?”

His eyes meet mine from the distance, my heart jumping at the sudden contact, before I glance back at my screen. “No,” I reply. “But what’s new?”

“What are you looking for?” he asks.

“Something in publishing,” I say.

“Anything specific in publishing?”

“Yeah, I studied creative writing, but I’m trying to look for something that’s more on the editorial side.”

“That’s cool,” he says. “Are you applying through company websites or places like LinkedIn?”

Reminded again at how thoughtful his questions are, I reply, “Literally everywhere. AlthoughwhereI apply is irrelevant. They’re all just as useless.” I sigh. “When did finding a decent job become just as difficult as winning the lottery?”

He chuckles. “I’d argue it’s even more difficult.”

“Sadly, that’s probably true,” I agree. “Do you miss work, or is it nice being on holiday for a while?”

“There’s not much to miss about crunching numbers all day, but it pays the bills,” Luca says, putting his phone away. “And theholiday’s been good, but there’s this girl who’s been taking up most of my time lately.” He smirks.

I blush. “That’s a pity. I hope she’s making it worth your while at least.”

He blushes, my heart now singing.

“She’s…,” he says, lips parting on a pause, “distracting.”

That’s enough to leave me a flustered mess. With brows also creased, wondering exactlywhathe meant by that. “Okay,” I say, quickly redirecting my eyes back to the screen, “here’s a good one. Well. The titlesoundsnice. ‘Editorial Intern.’”

“Are you looking for an internship?” he asks.

“No,” I admit, “not really. But I think it’s paid. There’s literally nothing else. Ugh.”

Luca walks over and sits on the chair next to me, making me squirm from the proximity. “What about that one? ‘Editorial Assistant,’” he suggests, while browsing the postings alongside me.

I smile wide when I review the details, instantly recognizing the company name. “Is that at Chegg? That brings back so many memories.”

It seems like Luca also didn’t notice this at first when he snorts. “The amount of times Chegg saved my ass.”

I laugh. “Literallysame. One time my entire lit final was posted on there the night before my exam. I almost cried when my professor handed me the booklet.”

“Pretty sure that was also me, but with my econ final.” He runs his fingers through his golden hair, adding, “I don’t think anyone going into college thought thatthosemoments would be some of the best highlights butwhata feeling.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

Both still grinning, we pause when our eyes meet.

And I don’t mean just any eye contact.

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