Page 21 of The Pinkie Pact

I rolled my eyes again, feeling exactly like Kara. "Well, good. I'm glad I'm not bothering you."

He smiled, and for a heartbeat, we just stared at each other, his intense eye contact making me feel a little dizzy. "So, yeah," he finally said. "Maybe we could call a truce?"

I thought about it for a second. "For now. I guess. I'll see how you do."

That smile grew, and suddenly, I had a flash of his naked chest go through my brain.

"How are your classes?" he asked.

"Um, they're fine. Nothing too exciting."

"I think it's really amazing that you're a math major."

I shrugged because I didn't think it was that amazing. "What's so amazing about it?"

"It's just..." He looked down as a tinge of pink crept up his cheeks. "Unexpected, I guess."

Narrowing my eyes at him, I asked, "How so?"

Now those cheeks turned even more pink. "Um, I don't know. I don't know what I'm trying to say. It's, uh, it's..."

I took pity on him because he seemed so flustered all the sudden, and I didn't understand why. "So why are you always in Foggy Bottom anyway?" I asked.

Looking relieved, he released a breath. "I really like this part of the city. I love how close it is to everything. Plus, I have a GW parking pass."

"Really? How'd you manage that?"

He shrugged those broad shoulders. "I know someone."

Hadn't Kara said something similar? Being a senator's kid definitely had some advantages. "Must be nice to know someone."

"Well, hey, you know someone now." He flashed me a quick grin.

"I do?" I asked, confused, because who the hell did I know? "Who?"

"Me."

I let out a laugh at his smug answer. "Oh, yeah? And what kind of perks can I get from you?"

Oh, crap. That sounded all sorts of wrong, and I definitely didn't mean to flirt with someone who was practically engaged. Buthehad kind of started it, right?

Those green eyes of his pierced me in a different sort of way than before. Not judging. Not condemning. I didn't know what to call it. But it sent a flutter through my chest that went deep down into my belly, making it hard to draw a breath.

His phone beeped, ending the strange moment. After quickly checking whatever it was, he glanced up at me, and I realized I should end this weird conversation and get back to work.

"Well, I should probably get this cart shelved."

"Okay," he answered. "Have a good night then."

"Yeah, you too," I said.

As I shoved the stubborn cart, he smiled at me. Damn, I could really get used to that smile from him. It transformed his entire face, making me feel...

Oh, fuck, do not start having feelings for Kieran of all people.

Planetarium

Sky

---