Page 60 of Only With You

Right as we got started, so many questions ran through my mind and once again, I panicked but silently. I was embarrassed and held back from asking him anything. That’s until he caught on and that was all within the first five minutes of getting started.

I hadn’t realized until today how freakishly perceptive he is. He knew when I was holding back, when I hesitated, when I wanted to ask but couldn’t. He just knew.

He didn’t once make me feel like I was an idiot or a lost cause. Landon took his time to explain what I didn’t get, andwhen I still wouldn’t understand a problem, he would show me a different way of getting the answer.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’ve learned more with him than I have with Professor Roberts. We weren’t even supposed to go over an hour, but he was set on me getting the answers. I got them even though it took a few tries.

I can’t remember the last time I felt this relieved.

And it’s all because of him.

“Did it all make sense?” he asks as I close my laptop.

“Yeah, I don’t know how you managed to do it, but it all did. Letters in equations always seem to throw me off,” I sheepishly admit.

I shift my body as he does, but we end up getting in an awkward position where my legs settle between his parted ones. Despite the weird placement, neither one of us moves.

Landon licks his lips again and I consider telling him to invest in some ChapStick, but I keep that comment to myself.

“It’s not the letters,” he replies, so sure of himself, and elaborates. “Yes, you freak out when you see the letters, but really, you just second-guess yourself. And add someone incompetent like Roberts, of course you’re going to believe it doesn’t make sense.”

He sounds so confident with his response, I almost believe him, but I’ve had other professors and they weren’t as bad as he is.

I look down at my lap. “I don’t think it’s that. I’ve never really been good at math.”

Landon hums thoughtfully, but doesn’t say anything else.

“I bet you’re dying to leave now, huh?” I stand and gather all my stuff.

“Yes,” he replies instantaneously and stands.

I stop packing all my stuff in my bag and look up at him. I hate how tall he is. I can’t have the desired effect when I tell himoff. Even when I do, he stares at me with this snobbish look like he has one up on me.

“You could at least pretend you’re sad our time is over.”

His lip curls with distaste. “No.”

“And here I thought the war was finally over,” I state sarcastically .

The issues between him and me are far from over, but we spent two hours acting like civilized adults. Gabby and Polly would be proud, and I’d be proud too if I didn’t feel weird about it.

We argue so much, it’s second nature to us, so not doing so makes me feel off.

I divert my attention back to my stuff, pick up my phone, and take it off Do Not Disturb.

I can’t help the small smile on my face at the two messages from River.

River: Hey, Juls

River: I know this is a bit far out, but what are you doing Friday the 20th? If you’re available, I’d love to take you out for dinner.

Even though this makes me feel excited, it doesn’t set off anything inside of me. There are no butterflies fluttering rampant in my stomach. My heart isn’t beating erratically. I don’t feel the good kind of overwhelming nerves that a first date would bring.

Maybe I’m just thinking too much into it. It’s been a hot minute since I went on a real date. That’s probably it. Once the date approaches, I’ll probably feel all of those things. After all, it’s only the beginning of October.

“Bad news?”

“What makes you think that?”

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