Page 101 of Wish You Were Mine
Me: Kiara’s handle is @kiarabakes. Check out her cakes when you get a chance. Just let me know a headcount and I’ll have Evan work up a catering quote.
I watched as she pulled her phone out from her back pocket. After glancing my way briefly, she typed a response.
Theo’s sister: Thank you! I invited about 15 people and have 10 RSVPs so far. So let’s say 20 to be safe. I’m sure the guys in my building will be happy to eat any leftovers I bring back.
Why did the thought of her interacting with guys from her building send an instant pang of jealousy through me?
I was an idiot, that was why. Of course she knew the guys in her building.
Probably had to fight off their advances on a daily basis with how cute and talented she was.
Ugh. I really didn’t need to be worrying about that.
Trying to push those thoughts away, I sent her a text.
Me: Perfect.
Then I slipped my phone into my pocket. As another wave of students walked in, I glanced up, hoping no one had noticed me texting with her.
It wasn’t like we were texting anything inappropriate. Just party plans. But...blurry lines were harder to justify when the attraction I had for my student was probably written all over my face any time I looked at her.
“All right, everyone. Lab Three today.” I stepped forward when the clock hit the hour. “Instructions are in yourworkbooks. You’ll need your goggles and gloves for this one. If you have any questions, just let me know.”
As I glanced around the room, I noticed Lucy still sitting alone.
Today’s lab was one that would be hard to do on her own… Should I offer to help her?
My feet twitched like they wanted to move toward her table, but before I could, Brody slipped in through the door.
“Sorry I’m late,” he told her. “Had to turn in an assignment.”
“It’s okay,” Lucy said, smiling at him. “I’m just glad you showed up. I would be lost without you in here.”
I froze.
The smile she gave him—the ease in her voice—made jealousy hit fast and stupid. I tightened my jaw before I could stop it.
Of course it was irrational. He was just her lab partner. This was school. Chemistry.
I had zero reason to feel like someone had just elbowed me in the chest.
Still, I turned away, trying to look busy.
Trying not to overanalyze the way she looked at him.
Or how different it might be from the way she looked at me. Especially since he was actually Lucy’s age.
I exhaled and forced myself into motion, starting my usual loop around the lab. Checking stations. Offering reminders. Pretending like I hadn’t just watched her light up for someone else.
I should be glad that she got along so well with her lab partner. That she felt comfortable, since that was what a good chemistry professor should want for his students, right?
Too bad this particular chemistry professor keeps forgetting he’s not allowed to want her for himself.
30
LUCY
“Areyou coming to the game tomorrow night?” Brody asked as he adjusted the angle of the beaker in front of us.
