Page 3 of I Think He Knows?

He smiles. “As far as I know Leo is very single. I think he’s still bummed out about your friend Eliza ditching him.”

Ouch. I was hoping Cam wouldn’t mention that.

“Technically she didn’t ditch him…” I trail off.

I guess this depends on who you ask. I’m sure Leo doesn’t see it that way.

“Unfortunately, when Eliza went out with Leo, she didn’t realize she was already in love with Mason.” I add, “It totally blindsided both of them.”

Eliza, Mason, and I have been best friends for years. Long story short—the two of them fell in love. It’s one of those friends who realize they are soul mates love stories full of swoony moments. The kind of story most people only dream of—blah, blah. And no, I’m not bitter. I adore them both and couldn’t be happier for them.

“I know, I know,” he says. “Jess is cool, but I’m not sure what Leo will say if I tell him you want to set him up with another friend of yours.”

I hold up my hand. “Ah, but I didn’t set him and Eliza up, remember. Their meeting was purely accidental with no interference from me.”

This is mostly true. Leo and Eliza met at a going away party we all attended. Yes, Eliza went with me, and Leo went with Cam. They literally ran into each other on the way to the bathroom. In that moment neither knew there was a connection with Cam and me.

“That’s fair,” he says. “I’ll mention it to him because he’s been sulking for too long anyway. It’s probably time for him to get back out there whether he likes it or not.

I purse my lips. This is my chance to take control of the situation. Ugh. Why is this so difficult for me?

“Maybe we can all grab dinner soon?” I suggest. The words naturally fall out of my mouth before I have a chance to overthink it.

Coach Cam leans his head to the side. “Ms. Black, are you asking me to join you for dinner?”

I sit up straight in my chair as my heart begins pounding against the walls of my chest. “Yes, I think I am. And we can invite Jess and Leo.”

The corners of his mouth curl up, revealing the familiar smile that gives me all the feels. “I would?—”

The sound of his phone ringing interrupts him. Ugh—that’s awful timing.

He glances at the screen and frowns. The phone continues ringing, but he doesn’t answer it even though he’s staring at the screen.

“If you need to get that, it’s fine,” I assure him.

After a few seconds he shakes his head and turns off the ringer.

“It’s not important,” he says, but his expression says otherwise. He’s clearly preoccupied by that phone call. Unfortunately the vibe in the office has completely shifted.

“Are you sure?” I ask leaning my head to the side.

He forces a smile. “Definitely. We were talking about going to dinner. Let’s do it.”

I nod casually, but I fully intend to do the happy dance when I return to my classroom. “Great. Jess will be over the moon.”

I rise to my feet. “I should probably get back and clean up the disaster that’s waiting for me. I made the mistake of doing a project with glitter today.”

He chuckles. “I wondered—you have some on your face.”

“I’m not sure what possessed me to open that can of worms, but I fully regret the decision,” I continue. “I should probably hand in my teacher card and find a new profession.”

“Please don’t do that—I need you here.” He stops while my heart rate picks up speed. “We need you here,” he corrects.

“Yeah sure. I think the school would function just fine without me,” I say with a nervous laugh.

He gives a shrug. “Maybe, but it wouldn’t be the same.”

His brown eyes lock on mine as my heart continues to beat rapidly. Are we having a moment right here in his tiny office? He looks at his phone again, and a confused expression spreads across his face.

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