Page 274 of Small Town Firsts

Summer glares at her as she walks by, intentionally knocking her shoulder into Emmy’s.

I cover my smirk with a yawn before adopting a carefully neutral expression, as I file away a reminder to employ Summer’s particular brand of bitchy before all’s said and done.

“You wanted to see me?” she asks.

I wait until we’re alone before replying.

“I did. I wanted to see if you’d like to retake the quiz on Tuesday. That’d give you the weekend to go over the correct materials.”

“What’s the catch?” she asks, eyeing me suspiciously.

Smart girl.

“Why do you assume there’s a catch?”

“Nothing in life is free, Sterling. Especially not your kindness.”

I can’t help but grin at her candor. “I suppose you’re right. This offer does come with strings attached.”

Her eyes flit between me and the door as she debates whether or not she should hear me out.

Finally, after what feels like an excruciating eternity, she says, “Name them... your terms, that is.”

A pleased feeling stirs inside of me, even as I suppress my grin. “Lunch.”

“What?”

“Let me take you to lunch.”

“What?” she asks again, parroting herself.

“If you want to retake the quiz next week, let me take you to lunch today. Do try and keep up, Emmalyn. They say you’re smart.”

She snorts out a derisive laugh. “Definitely smart enough to know going anywhere with you is a bad idea.”

“Are you scared?” I ask, half taunting and half genuinely curious.

“Women are taught from a young age not to intentionally put themselves into dangerous situations. Something tells me being alone with you is most definitely dangerous.”

“But we’re alone now,” I press, needing her to take me up on this offer. My entire plan hinges on her cooperation.

“Do you swear this isn’t just another game?”

“It’s not a game, Emmalyn.”

Hook.

“And you swear I’ll get to retake the quiz?”

“I guarantee it. I can put it in writing if you’d like.”

Line.

“And you’re not like... luring me away to murder me?”

I throw my head back and laugh.

“While the idea of my hands around your throat holds merit, I have no intention of killing you,” I mutter under my breath, willing my mind to dispel the pretty picture my words are painting.

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