Page 35 of The Trade

I raise a skeptical brow. “Don’t act like you’re so above shady tactics.”

He momentarily sobers up, his expression thoughtful. “You know what, you’re right.” Then, a soft smirk slowly resurfaces on his lips. “If I want something from you, I’ll just have to man up and ask for it.”

His words catch me off guard, leaving a trail of confusion in their wake. “Um, okay, then,” I stammer, fumbling to decipher his comment.

With an easy familiarity, he pats my bag before stepping away, a lingering warmth left in his wake. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Jade.”

* * *

“Read it and weep, baby.”West’s voice breaks through the quiet hum of the library as he slams a stack of papers down on my table. The interruption is as unwelcome as it is jarring.

I blink up at him. “What is that?” I ask, cautiously edging toward the heap of papers.

His grin, spread wide across his face, could easily outshine the afternoon sunset. “Why don’t you take a look, sweet cheeks?”

I scrunch up my nose in distaste, half-annoyed, half-amused. “First of all, ew. Second of all . . .” I divert my attention to the paper, scanning it quickly. Recognition hits, and I can’t hold back a surprised laugh. “Holy shit.”

“Do you see that?” His chest inflates with pride, a tangible energy emanating from him. “That’s a fucking eighty-one.”

“Wow, a solid B-.” I can’t help but mirror his excitement, tapping the papers as if to transfer some of the good fortune to myself. “Nice job, Theo.”

He rewards my compliment with my signature iced latte, placing it on the table before sinking into the seat beside me. “This is the best grade I’ve ever gotten,” he says, locking his gaze onto me. His hands grip the armrests on my chair, caging me in with his infectious joy. “Did you know that?”

“I didn’t.” I shake my head, grinning widely at his triumph. “But that’s amazing.”

“It is amazing,” he says, an intensity in his eyes that I can’t quite place. “And I owe it all to you, Jade. I’m so fucking happy right now I could kiss you.”

A fluttering sensation rises in my chest at his words, my heart rate jolting. “Yeah?”

His gaze drops to my lips for a fraction of a second. “Fuck yeah.”

“Well, if you want something from me, then why don’t you just ask for it?” The words spill out before I can filter them, leaving us both startled.

He pauses, an awkward chuckle breaking the tension. “Wait, are you being serious?”

I steady my gaze, choosing to meet his challenge. “Are you?”

A furrow knots between his brows. “I—”

“It’d just be a congratulations kiss,” I quickly backtrack, my words tumbling out. “Nothing serious.”

He leans in. “Nothing serious?”

“Uh-huh.”

His expression twists for a moment, an internal debate visible in his eyes. “I, uh—no, you know what? Why don’t you give me one when I actually deserve it?”

“What do you mean?”

“If I can actually pass this course,” he clarifies, his voice lower than before. “That’s when I’ll deserve a kiss from you.”

I swallow the lump in my throat, trying to steady my pounding heart. “You think so?”

His answer is immediate and firm. “Yes.” He stares me down, the intensity returning to his gaze, his proximity inching just a tad closer. “And don’t think I won’t come to collect.”

Outwardly, I roll my eyes. Inwardly, I’m screaming. “So dramatic,” I say, hoping my voice sounds steadier than I feel.

“Drink your latte, Jade.” He smirks, finally releasing his hold on my chair. The warmth of his touch fades, leaving a strange sense of absence. “Besides, don’t you have some big article to write about limp-dick Freddy?”

---