Page 33 of Gin & Sin

“You’re carrying yourself differently. Your hair’s styled too. It’s a noticeable glow up.”

“Glow up?”

He waves his hand in the air. “Like a makeover. What’s going on? Is this about the guy?”

Is it? “No. I just felt like brushing my hair.”

“That’s not all that’s going on though. There’s a pep to your step.” He cackles. “It’s cute.”

Hmm. Maybe I am feeling more confident. “Silly. I’m just me.”

“Okay, but you’re being noticed.”

I shrug, ready to deflect the compliment, but my phone buzzes. Before I’ve even looked at it, my stomach flips.

“Answer it,” Theo says in a teasing voice.

I pull my phone out of the desk drawer where I keep it during class time. Sure enough, it’s a text from Kit. I swipe the lock screen to read it.

Kit: Hey, gorgeous. Hope you’re having a good day.

It’s simple and innocent but it still makes me tingle inside. All I have to do is think his name and memories of how he expertly unravels me rush back. It’s pretty inconvenient in themiddle of a lecture when I have to duck behind the lectern to avoid showing off a semi.

Me: Hi! It’s an ordinary day. How are you?

Kit: Pounding coffee. Just woke up. The late nights are hard on a guy.

Me: I slept like the dead after you left.

Kit: Did I wear you out, beautiful?

A smile tugs at my lips as I type out a response.

Me: Yes. Care to do it again?

Kit: What time is your workday done?

Me: Four. No office hours today.

Kit: Perfect. I don’t have to go in until six. Can I pick you up? I’d love to visit my alma mater.

The idea of Kit visiting me here and people seeing a man like him with me is… thrilling.

Me: Sure. I’m in the Psych building on the third floor, room 310.

Kit: See you at four, Prof.

Me: See you then.

I put my phone down, then startle as I realize Theo is still here, watching the entire interaction.

He kicks his legs as he throws his head back and barks out a laugh. “Oh god, you are so done for. If you could’ve seen your face. You are smitten.”

“It’s not that deep, Theo. I like him, but it’s casual.”

“Uh-huh. Okay.”

“It’s just different,” I admit. “I’ve never gotten ‘good morning,’ or ‘have a good day’ texts before.”

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