Page 10 of Ink & Stardust

“Nonsense.” He nudges me gently. “What kind of man would I be if I didn’t at least buy you a coffee? I mean, I did eavesdrop on your conversation.”

“You did.” I fight the smile threatening to turn my lips.

I’ll give him this much—he’s incredibly charming.

“Then it’s settled.” He taps his phone on the credit card machine.

“Thank you.” I follow him to the end of the counter that’s designated for pickup.

“So, about that conversation...” He gives me a cheeky grin.

“I actually have class in like twenty minutes.”

“What class?”

“Uh, English,” I lie for the second time today. I mean, I do have English today but in an hour, not twenty minutes.

“Who’s your professor?”

“Teaberry.”

“So you’re a freshman.”

“I am.”

“Junior.” He gestures to himself.

I nod, not really sure what to say.

“Black coffee and a vanilla cold brew.” The same lady who took our order sets our coffees in front of us.

“Thank you,” I call to her back as she walks away. “Thanks again for the coffee.” I lift my cup slightly.

“Can I walk you to class?” he asks just as I turn to leave.

I’m a little surprised by his request but also can’t ignore the little patter of excitement that thrums in my chest.

“Well, I... uh...”

“I know you don’t actually have class.” He chuckles, not the least bit offended by my dishonesty.

“How do you know that?”

“Because I’m a TA for Teaberry, and her first class isn’t until eleven.”

“You TA for...” I try so hard to hide my embarrassment, but I’m not entirely sure how successful I actually am. “You’re an English major?” I guess.

“Yes and no. Education with a focus on English. I want to be a high school English teacher.”

“Really?” I can’t deny I’m quite surprised to learn this. Though he’d probably be great at it. I’ve known him all of three minutes and I can already tell he’d be the teacher all the teenagers loved.

“Really.” He nods. “Should we sit down now?” He gestures to an empty table by the window, not waiting for me to answer before heading in that direction, already knowing I’ll follow, which I do.

“But if you’re a teacher’s assistant for Teaberry, why have I never seen you?” I ask, taking the seat across from him and setting my cup on the table in front of me.

“Well, if you have class today, then you’re her Monday, Wednesday rotation and I assist her Tuesday, Thursday classes because of football.”

“You play football?” So I was right, he is an athlete.

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