Page 19 of Enemies to Lovers

“What is this?” I wave my hand between us. I hate to break the spell, but I need to know what to expect. I like to know things—it’s a gift and a curse. Helps in school, but not so much in relationships. I’m always called nosy.

He scratches his beard. “Um… a date?”

“But why?” I blow across my cup before taking a sip. “We’ve known each other for how long?”

“Twenty-one years.”

My eyes widen at his exactness—and the fact he spewed it out so quickly. “Did it take you that long to pluck up the nerve? Or was this all because Joy—”

“It’s not out of pity. I told you that.”

I wet my lips, and his eyes drop to the subconscious action. Then he quickly finds the ground more interesting.

It’s hard for me tonotthink it’s pity when he sits there looking like he does. It’s been so long knowing each other, playing in the same waters. I’m too paranoid to jump on it without a lifejacket.

“If it’s not pity… then what is it?”

He runs his hand over his jeans, his fingers curling. His knee bounces. “I… I didn’t realize…” He shakes his head, scratches his beard, then runs his hand into his hair. I’d hate to see all his styling go to waste, so I boldly take that hand and keep it in mine.

“That I like you?”

He lets out a breathy laugh, playing with my fingertips, running his thumb over the yarn in my gloves. I hope that helps him as much as pulling at his hair.

“I just…” he starts. “Well… damn it.”

“Shh.” I gesture toward the temple behind us. “He might hear.”

He chuckles, lifting his gaze to mine. I wait as patiently as possible for him to get his thoughts straight. Miles is articulate—eventually. When he has time to prep, he’s a genius. I wonder if it’s because he thinks so much that it’s a web he has to untangle before he lets it out into the world. While I just let all the thoughts spew, tangles and all.

“I don’t understand,” he says after a beat. “I thought you hated me.”

“I don’t hate anyone.” Hating so foul, so dehumanizing. His thumb brushes against my palm, and I suppress a shiver from running up my spine. “Why would you think that?”

“We’re always competing.”

“Because we’re interested in the same things.” I lift a shoulder. “It’s not my fault we have so much in common.”

Amusement sparkles in those hazel eyes of his. “We’ll be competing again next semester.”

My stomach drops, and I ease my hand from his. Is that what all this is about? Holy cow, I’m stupid. I’m a stupid, naïve woman. But hey, at least I put on that lifejacket.

I take in a deep breath. “You just want to talk about the internship.”

“Not just.” He shakes his head, grasping for me. “It’s been years I’ve only seen you as a rival. Maybe I want to… see you as something else. Something more?”

His eyes won’t meet mine, but he manages to get my hand in his again. He taps knuckles, going from one to the other then back again. Tap, tap, tap, tap… over and over. My heart reaches toward him, knowing these nerves are frustrating for him. But he’s so steady, so calm when he’s working with the animals. Practical study is definitely his strong suit, which makes me wonder why he’s shaking so badly with me right now.

Probably should let him off the hook. Not everyone can deal with my bluntness. “All right. I won’t question your motives anymore.” I blow on my hot chocolate, which is still too hot to drink. “Well, tonight, anyway.”

My shoulders relax, nerves settling as she lets me off the hook. I’m no good at lying, and I feel like I’m pulling half-truths out of my ass.

I shift on the icy bench, grateful for the hot chocolate in my hands since my rear is numb already. I don’t remember the last time I came to temple square—downtown gives me anxiety.

Val’s eyes drop to my bouncing knee, and I internally curse and try to get it to stop. I settle my cup on my leg, hoping it’ll get my brain to tell my nerves to calm the hell down. The heat doesn’t help, and I end up moving it as soon as I set it there.

“Cats or dogs?” Val says, her breath puffing into the air.

“Huh?”

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