Page 64 of Devilry

“It definitely helps. There’s only so much cafeteria food one can stomach.” I make a face at the mention of the university’s shitty menu, and Elijah laughs. “It’s a small price to pay to almost eat for free.”

“The joys of being a student,” I muse.

“I just keep reminding myself it’s a rite of passage and every other person attending is in the same boat.”

“Do you have a job?”

“I haven’t been actively looking for one just yet. I’ve been a bit sidetracked lately, but it has been in the back of my mind.” He takes a small sip of his seltzer. “I don’t want to get too busy now that I have the research project, but I don’t like any free time either. And I want to add cash to my savings for a rainy day.”

“Who doesn’t like free time?”

“You sound like Aiden,” he says flippantly. “It’s just a habit I can’t seem to grow out of. I work harder and better when I know I have a deadline, or limited hours. There’s just something so rewarding about putting yourself under that much pressure, and then succeeding.”

“And if you don’t? What would you’ve done if you burnt out and didn’t get into King? What was your contingency plan?”

He scoffs, and a cocky smile I’ve never seen on his face before appears. “I didn’t have one.”

“What do you mean?”

“Firstly, I did nothing else but study and work in high school. All day, every day. Secondly, if you give yourself a fall-back option, then you’re increasing the chances of failing. You’re subconsciously giving yourself a buffer.”

I contemplate his theory. “Do you really believe that?”

“It hasn’t steered me wrong yet.” Placing the fork down on his now empty plate, he reaches for the napkin and swiftly wipes his mouth. “Honestly, without killing the mood, it didn’t matter if I didn’t get into King. I was getting the fuck out of dodge no matter what.”

Curiosity plagues me, knowing that everything about him is tied to his past, and talking about it is the only way I’ll know more about him. “So you’re never going back?”

“If hell freezes over, sure. People like them are never going to change, and neither am I, so it’s a safe bet that I’ll leave King and go wherever the wind takes me.”

His words are so matter of fact and optimistic, and if he hadn’t had that mini meltdown earlier, I would’ve believed he’d managed to leave that world behind, and come out unscathed. But now I know it isn’t true. I couldn’t imagine any child coping with the rejection of their parents, especially when they refuse to see you foreverythingthat you are; knowing it’s someone as pure and honest as Elijah, is heartbreaking.

Not wanting to risk getting into it again about his family, I change the subject. “How’s the research project coming along? Did you guys meet up while I was away?”

“We did,” he answers enthusiastically. “We met up once last week, and set up our schedules for the rest of the semester. They really are a great bunch of people.”

“I think I picked well,” I say with a smirk.

“It’s kind of crazy to be a part of it all, to be honest.” His eyes sparkle with wonder and excitement. “It’s challenging, but it’s also something we can definitely accomplish. You were right, you know?”

“I usually am,” I joke. “But I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“It is a once in a lifetime opportunity.” He leans over and carefully takes my hand. “Turning it down would’ve been one of my biggest regrets, so thank you for not giving up on me.”

“I had some selfish motives,” I admit.

“The end result was still the same.”

His thumbs trace circles over the tops of my hands, and the absent-minded gesture is unexpectedly settling.

“You deserve to be there,” I reassure him. “And if I have to remind you every now and then, I don’t mind.”

A deep masculine voice interrupts us. “Gabby has just stepped out on her break,” the older looking man informs, referring to our original server. “Would you like some more time to look at the dessert menu?”

Elijah and I continue to watch one another, our hands still entwined, neither of us rushing to let go. If he wanted dessert, I would stay for him, but right now I want him alone and all to myself.

“We won’t be getting anything else,” Elijah advises, while still holding my gaze. “Is that okay?”

I look up to the waiter who seems uninterested and impatient with us. “Can we have the bill, please?”

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