Page 9 of Confusing Hearts

“So, you’re a closet nerd and don’t want your friends to find out?”

“Um, basically, yeah. Okay, it’s exactly like that.”

“Then why are you telling me?”

“I don’t know. I don’t even know why we’re talking about me when you were about to tell me what you really want to major in, and since I just shared one of my deepest darkest secrets, you’re totally confessing it.”

I looked at him, wondering how much truth had just spilled out. Had he just shared an intimate secret with me? I made a mental note to do a little research on exactly what Chase Westin’s reputation consisted of.

“Photography, maybe even graphic design.” My heart lightened at the admittance. Then I thought of something he had said. “Wait, you’re taking calculus for fun?”

He looked sheepish and shrugged, like a little kid just caught doing something wrong.

“And your friends never notice? Business major does not equal calculus.”

The tips of his ears were bright red as he lowered his voice and cupped my ear to whisper closely, sending shock waves through my body.

“I tell everyone a different major. No one knows for sure what I’m majoring in or what I’m studying.” He pulled back and stared at me with that troubling look again. “Except you. And I don’t know why I told you, so let’s forget it ever happened.”

Chase was still watching me with his puzzled look when the professor strolled by.

“Mr. Westin, I assume you’re finding this partner much more sufficient than the last?”

Without even breaking eye contact he responded. “Definitely.”

“And I assume that you and Ms. Lockhardt actually managed to finish the assignment today?” the professor asked.

Chase turned his laptop around to face the teacher, then reached over and did the same to mine.

He nodded his approval at Chase’s but stopped and considered mine first. “Ms. Lockhardt, did you do this yourself?”

“Um, yes, sir. Chase picked the picture; the rest of the assignment was all me.” I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans and fought not to bite my lip.

“Very impressive. Very impressive indeed. I’m confident the two of you will make a fine pair this semester. You just may have met your match, Mr. Westin.”

“Perhaps I have, sir.” Chase beamed with pride, and I realized that pride was for me.

As we packed up and headed out, I couldn’t help but inquire as to what Professor Stone had meant. Chase looked down at his watch and grumbled.

“What’s your next class?”

“Oh, I have photography in ten minutes. I guess I should go.”

Chase beamed, seeming less stressed. “Great, I’ll walk you. And to answer your question, it’s my third class with Stone. I don’t always play well with others, or at least my standards tend to be higher than the rest of the class. He doesn’t go easy on me, but he likes team projects. He’s a penguin shifter, you know. Group work is kind of his thing. I didn’t mean to run the girl off last week, she was just, well, subpar. I can’t say I’m sorry for it. I think my new partner will be a far better match.”

I blushed as he held open the door for me, and then he followed me into my classroom.

“Oh, um, you don’t have to . . .”

He laughed. “Actually I do. It’s my next class, too.”

“Oh,” I said, trying to filter the shock.

Chase

Chapter 5

I loved the look of surprise on her face. She was so damn beautiful. Everything screamedthis is your mate, but it didn’t make any sense. I knew she was a panther, a damn cat. That couldn’t even be possible. Plus, I had seen her just that weekend dancing and there had been no recognition, yet my wolf had practically leapt out of me the moment I saw her eyes for the first time. Her gorgeous, unique, violet eyes. I could have stared into them forever and been perfectly content.

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