Page 107 of From Now On

“My senior thesis presentation. It’s due Tuesday.”

“What’s your thesis about?”

“The impact criminalizing Schedule II substances has on government policy and public perception.”

“Wow. Big topic.”

“Yeah,” I agree. “It is.”

Eve doesn’t ask why I chose it, which I’m grateful for. I’m not sure I’d lie to her, but I don’t feel like discussing Sean either.

She refocuses on her work. I follow her studious lead, reviewing slides and making changes. I’m about three-quarters through my presentation when I hear Eve swear under her breath.

I glance up. “Something wrong?”

She’s scowling at the screen. “My laptop died and I forgot to bring a charger.” She pushes her glasses to the top of her head and then rubs her eyes.

“You can borrow mine,” I offer. I’ve been here an hour, so my computer will last a while if I unplug.

“No, it’s fine. I need a break anyway. I’ll finish it tomorrow.”

I can’t think of a single reason to ask her to stay, aside from that I want her to. But she probably has plans with Ben. If Harlow’s out of town, she has their place to herself.

I shove thoughts of what that could mean far, far away.

Eve shuts her laptop. Exhales, before she asks, “Why did you sit here, Hunter?”

She sounds angry again.

“Because I wanted to,” I answer honestly.

“Whydid you want to?” she presses.

“Why did you get back together with him?” I retort.

The irritation bleeds out of Eve’s expression. She blinks rapidly. “What?”

“Your ex.Ben. Aren’t you back together with him?”

“I—no.No. Why would you think that?”

No. That might be my new favorite word.

Relief hits me like a cascade of falling bricks. “I saw you getting coffee with him on Monday. You guys looked… I just assumed…”

“I ran into him on mywayto get a coffee. He asked to talk and I couldn’t think of a good excuse not to fast enough, and then…we’re definitely not—he wanted to tell me he had sex with someone else over break.” She shakes her head.

More relief hits. And then her words fully register.

“He had sex with someone else over break?”

“Yep.” Eve plays with the ribbon on the table. “Sure didn’t waste any time. Guess I’m not the only one who thought our sex life was boring.” She blushes, then glances around at the emptytables surrounding us to make sure no one else is in earshot. “Or maybe I’m just bad at it.”

“You’re not bad at sex.”

Eve raises one eyebrow. “How doyouknow?”

“Because you’re bad at bowling.”

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