Page 80 of Only With You

“That’s another question. You sure you want to ask that?”

That only leaves me two more questions, and quite frankly, that’s not enough. I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface and if I’m being honest with myself, I want to know more about him.

“You’re impossible. Can you make that part of my question?” I bat my lashes at him, flashing him my sweetest smile.

But he kills my smile with the shake of his head and a clipped, “No.”

I huff discontentedly. “Fine, make that a question.”

His eyes draw to my lips before they flick away and a faint smile on his face makes a special appearance. It’s minuscule, but it’s one nonetheless. But like all good things, they must come to an end because it’s gone now.

“I skipped a few grades and was in an early college program in high school. So when I came to NCU, I started my master’s program. I could have started in high school, but didn’t feel like it. And I don’t care to get my Ph.D., so I opted for a dual degree again.”

My jaw physically drops. Did he sayagain? As in, this is his second time doing a dual degree. Or maybe third? Is that possible? There’s just no way.

I incredulously stare at him. “H-how? You skipped grades? And you’re doing a dual degreeagain? Just how?”

I shouldn’t be surprised, because the girls did say he graduated valedictorian.

“I have hyperthymesia.”

Of course he does. Now it all makes sense, how he’s able to always remember everything down to the detail.

“Wow.” I bite back a smile.

His eyes narrow in on my lips like he knows what I’m trying to do. “Spit it out.”

“First of all,”—I take a drink—“I’m sorry I ever called you a dumb-ass. And second, you’re like a Disney princess. You can hear color. You can remember everything. What’s next? You’re going to tell me you have superpowers?” I arch a brow, staring at him expectantly.

The expression on his face tells me he doesn’t find this as amusing as I do, but he doesn’t seem as annoyed. His eyes look lighter and his demeanor is less tense, more laid back.

I don’t think his eyes have ever looked like that, but I like it.

“I’m sorry. I’m done making jokes, but if it makes you feel better, I’m jealous.”

His brows scrunch together. “Why?”

“It’s no surprise I’m struggling.” I draw my gaze down to my nails to distract me from his probing eyes. “If I were as smart as you are, life would be much easier and I’d be able to make my pare—well, life would be better.”

“There’s nothing great about remembering everything.” I flinch at the contempt in his voice. When I shift my attention to him, he stares at me vacantly. “If I had a choice, I wouldn’t have this godforsaken ability. Your failing grades have nothing to do with you not being smart. You are smart, but you second-guess yourself and your mind is never where it should be. So don’t give me the‘I’ve never been good at math’bullshit. You are, but for whatever reason, you lack confidence. I advise that you find it.”

I’d be mad at the way he snapped at me if I wasn’t dumbfounded with what he just said.

“Can we move on now?”

I shake my head and chug the rest of my drink. Thankfully, it isn’t hot anymore, so I didn’t burn myself, but somehow, it still feels like I did. A knot forms in my throat and my chest feels a little heavy.

I don’t know why I thought this was going to work out. I can’t believe I thought we were making progress.

Setting my mug in the sink, I force myself not to look as agitated as I feel. “I don’t have it in me to deal with your mood swings. I have to work tomorrow and you’re not worth losing sleep over. Night.”

I stall in my spot, waiting for him to say something, to say anything, but it never comes. My stomach sinks, because I realize what I’m doing. I never wait for him to say something. I’m always marching off, but this time as the seconds tick by, I…wait…hoping he’ll say something. And he does, but not what I hoped.

His fingers rise, brushing his chain. “Night.”

I walk to my room, but each step feels crippling and my chest hollow.

I rub my temples, hoping that’ll alleviate the massive hammering in my skull.

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