Page 135 of Wish You Were Mine
“That actually sounds really nice.”
We paused at the corner near his apartment. I checked around us, tugged my hood up over my head like I was avoiding the paparazzi, then we darted across the street to his place, laughing quietly the whole way.
Inside, he motioned toward the couch. “How about you pick something to watch while I pop some popcorn?”
He disappeared into the kitchen while I scrolled through the streaming apps. I settled on the newest romcom I’d been meaning to watch, then glanced over my shoulder to see him atthe stove, turning the handle on some contraption I’d never seen before.
“Is that a…popcorn machine?”
“It’s a stovetop popper,” he said proudly. “Tastes better than microwave.”
The smell was amazing—salty, buttery, warm.
When he joined me on the couch with a big bowl in hand, I leaned in to grab a handful and curled into his side.
“You did well on your test today, by the way,” he said, draping his arm around me.
“You already graded it?”
“I did.” He nodded. “And I know you said you and chemistry don’t get along, but if you keep telling people that and they see your grades, they might think I’m inflating your scores.”
I laughed. “Does this mean I’ve officially surpassed my high school B-plus?”
“You had an A-minus when I checked today.”
“Well, imagine that.” I grinned. “Not the straight A’s my dad prefers, but…pretty good.”
“It’s more than good.” He looked at me like he meant it. “You’re doing really well.”
“I guess there’s something to be said for being interested in the professor’s lectures.”
He chuckled. “So, I’m not boring you to death with all my talk of reaction kinetics and molecular orbital theory?”
“I mean, I do occasionally get distracted by how your biceps flex when you write on the board,” I joked. “And how good you look in your button-downs and ties…”
He laughed, shaking his head, but I could see the pleased flush on his cheeks.
“Let’s just say I didn’t nickname you Professor Heartthrob for nothing.” I winked.
“Wait…is that my name in your phone?”
“No.” I smirked. “You’re still ‘Theo’s Friend.’”
“Smart. Less suspicious.” He chuckled as he picked up a few pieces of popcorn. “Don’t need your dad seeing your phone and wondering who Professor Heartthrob is.”
“Exactly.”
“So…” Owen glanced at the TV screen. “What movie did you decide on?”
“It’s a romcom,” I said, giving him an innocent look. “About a girl who goes off to college and falls for her hot professor.”
“Seriously?” He blinked, then gave a soft laugh. “That feels…suspiciously on theme.”
I shrugged, fighting a smile. “It’s a total coincidence.”
“Mm-hmm.” He tugged me closer, his tone warm and teasing. “Well, hopefully it has a happy ending.”
“Hopefully.”
