Page 54 of Love and Other Chances

“This final year of law school is kicking my proverbial booty,” Lana says. Her messy bun is disheveled, and her eyes are droopy. “But Mateo is staying awake with me playing FIFA while I study, so I have his running commentary to keep me from falling asleep.” She adds this last part with a wry smile.

“I do what I must in order to help,” Mateo’s voice yells in the background.

“But even studying for finals takes a back seat to a date recap. Start talking, Teegs,” Lana says.

Filling them in on the entire night only causes my grin to grow wider and wider. Reliving every playful moment, every serious conversation makes my heart flutter with giddy butterflies.

“I even mentioned that I’m considering moving on from staff to try teaching, and Brooks told me it would be easy to get my teaching license and find a job,” I say.

“Are you leaning that way?” Amaya asks. Lana looks at me expectantly.

“Maybe? Unsure. It’s still more the inkling of a thought, but it certainly isn’t going away,” I answer with a shrug. “But I can’t lie and say that hearing Brooks talk about his job and seeing him interact with students doesn’t sway me more in that direction.”

“Wait, when have you seen him interact with students?” Lana questions.

I tell them about my visit to The Hangout, complete with all of the exaggerated praise for “Mr. Murphy” laid on thick by the students.

“I am zero percent surprised that Sofia egged on the attraction between you two. That girl. Ahhh, I miss her! I love that you got to visit and see Sofia in action there!” Lana says, a hand over her heart. “Oh my goodness, I miss The Hangout so much. I’m totally jealous right now.”

We continue chatting for a few more minutes before I wrap things up. “You need to finish studying, LaLa, and you need to go to sleep, Amaya,” I say. “And I need to lie in bed and replay my date with Brooks over and over.”

They laugh at me, and we say our goodbyes.

I change into pajamas, remove my makeup, and then lie in bed, replaying my date with Brooks over and over—smiling the entire time.

Chapter twenty-one

Brooks wasn’t kidding about having a chaotic schedule following our date.

I know he’s studying hard for the two finals he has to take, while also teaching all day. He still made time to text me throughout the week, but he skipped small group last night.

We’ve only been officially dating for one week, and I’m already feeling pouty about not seeing him. I assume he’ll check his phone during his lunch hour, so I send a quick text message.

Could I bring over dinner and help you study tonight for your final tomorrow?

We don’t have an Arrow meeting tonight due to finals week, so I have a rare Thursday night off. I decide to pick up some cookies to deliver to AOPi as study fuel rather than pace my house waiting for his reply. Bakery box in hand, I’m walking up the steps to my old sorority house when my phone dings. I quickly pull it out to check the message before I go inside.

BROOKS

If you come over, the only thing I’ll wind up studying is the facets of blue in your eyes

BROOKS

You’re deluding yourself if you think I’m joking

I will hold your feet to the fire and force you to study. I used to quiz Lana with note cards all the time in college. I’m a pro

BROOKS

I’m not underestimating your quizzing skills. You’re underestimating how bewitching you are

I’m grateful that these are text messages and not a video call when my cheeks start flaming.Did the sun just get hotter? Wasn’t it forty degrees a second ago?

BROOKS

Of course you can come. See? You’ve bewitched me via text, persuaded me to agree to your wishes

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