Page 31 of Icebound Attraction

* Thank you

Well, I don't know what to expect tomorrow, but deep down I feel a restlessness, which makes me think that I'm not insensitive to the idea of studying with Liam Scott.

The library doors close behind me as I spot Liam sitting at one of the tables, his eyes riveted to his notes. He seems lost in thought as I approach.

“Hi,” I say, sitting down next to him.

An annoyed “shh” comes from a corner of the room and I put my hand in front of my mouth. Oops...

Liam raises tired eyes to me, and he gives me a weak smile.

“Hi,” he replies in a low voice, rubbing his chin.

He really looks like he's at the end of his rope, and I feel guilty that I thought he was snubbing me. Obviously, it's something else, and he seems to be struggling with a whole host of problems.

“You don't look so good...” I say timidly.

“I really have a lot of catching up to do if I'm going to pass the next exam. With the game coming up, it's hard for me to keep up with everything. That's why...”

He seems to hesitate for a moment, as if embarrassed.

“That's why I decided to send you a message,” he continues. “I'm not in the habit of asking for help, but right now I'm struggling.”

His confession touches me and I nod.

“All right, then. Where do you want to start? What's your study methodology?”

He opens his round eyes and stares at me, as if I've just said something atrocious, or spoken a foreign language.

“I... Uh... My methodology...”

He pushes a notebook full of shapeless notes, scribbles and numbers towards me.

“Oh, yeah. Well... I think we're going to go over the basics a bit so you can get better organized. Sound good?”

I smile at him to lighten the mood, and he gives me a sincere smile that warms me from head to toe.

Damn, he's handsome!

“That's fine by me! And... thank you, Emily. I really...”

I sweep away his thanks with a wave of my hand as if it’s no big deal, and we both lean back over his notebooks, our heads strangely close together. I feel his spicy scent returning to my nostrils and the butterflies in my stomach awaken.

No, no... Not now! Concentrate!

I end up dissecting his working method. He recognizes that I'm more organized, which makes me laugh. Through my university studies, I’ve learned by default to be structured in everything I do: an article has a starting point, a statement, a thread and a conclusion. I use all these points in my everyday life. Liam seems to like the way I do things, and we make a few lesson plans together. He's a quick learner and a studious one. He asks the right questions, takes notes and makes a real effort. I like that about him.

He rubs his three-day beard, his brown curls falling over his forehead.

“That's much better! It's crazy!” he exclaims softly, so as not to disturb the other students.

“You're doing a really good job,” I remark.

“Your help makes all the difference! I'm such an idiot for not contacting you sooner!”

The joy in his eyes warms my heart. It's good to know I can help him. Whatever happened with him during the last training session, or during our last meetings, seems to have evaporated. Nor are there any misunderstandings, flirtations or long, icy silences. How nice! I feel like I'm discovering him in his true light, and I like that.

Calm down, Emily!

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