Page 38 of The Romance Rivalry

Aiden takes a step toward me, and in this tiny tin box, that puts his body almost directly in contact with mine. “We were on a break from the contest for midterms, remember? And I don’t need to sabotage you to win,” he says, leaning in even closer. “So have a blast with your childhood sweetheart as he tells you all about his exciting life in pre-med.” His voice is low, even, quiet.

I open my mouth to make it clear to Aiden that I am in no way interested in Taejin. I don’t want him getting the wrong ideal. But he’s so close, I have to lean my head back to look at him. And with him staring down into my eyes like that, my mind is a jumbled mess. I swallow.

He’s somehow sucked all the air out of the elevator, and though on wobbly legs, I’m lucky I’m still standing.

“Um...” Some days I’m so eloquent.

The corner of Aiden’s mouth lifts in a cocky smirk.

“You should let loose a little, Irene. You act like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.” He takes a step back, giving me space to breathe again, but suddenly making the elevator feel big... too big.

“I know you’re right. I guess I just thought college would be...” I pause, unsure what I thought. “...easier? I don’t know. I hoped that I’d come to know and understand myself a little better and have fun in the process. Instead, I feel more lost than ever.”

“Be kinder to yourself,” he says. The words feel like permission. I play them over in my head, liking the way they sound but uncertain what it would look like to do so.

I lean forward and press the first floor button again, but the elevator hasn’t budged. I press the door-open button and nothing.

“Give it a second, this old thing has a mind of its own. It’ll move when it’s ready,” Aiden says. He reaches out and covers my hand on the button, wrapping his fingers around mine, drawing my hand down away from the panel.

Both of us watch the movement. I wonder if he sees it in slow motion like I do.

I look up, examining his profile, wondering how it is that he never seems to let anything get to him. It’s infuriating and also, sorta admirable.

He turns his head and looks at me, his eyes roaming over me, taking in every detail.

And maybe for the first time ever, I don’t worry about what someone sees this close up. I don’t fret about my enlarged pores or the freckles I often try to cover. The small cluster of scars the summer’s acne left behind. The peach fuzz around my jawline. Instead, I beg him in my heart to see me. To actually see me.

His eyes move to meet mine. I don’t look away.

“Forced proximity,” he whispers. “You know what happens next, don’t you?”

I shake my head the tiniest bit.

The side of his mouth lifts into a cocky grin as he leans in.

I hold my breath in anticipation.

The floor beneath me sways as an earthquake, the Big One, hits. Or, rather, as the rickety old elevator chooses that exact moment to kick into gear. I have either the best luck or the worst luck ever, as the connection between Aiden and me is lost. I lose my balance a tiny bit, placing my hand on his chest to right myself. His heart beats quickly beneath my palm. I push him away just a bit. He steps away, back to the opposite corner.

I let out a long, steady breath, trying to calm the neurons that seem to be firing inside every part of me. This is a good thing. The last thing I want is my enemy, my rival romance reviewer, my challenger in the race to find love, mycompetition for a brand deal, in forced proximity to muddy the waters even more.

Aiden clears his throat, but I keep my eyes focused on the crack between the doors in front of me.

The elevator finally stops at the ground floor and the crack slowly widens.

“I gotta get going,” I say over my shoulder, shuffling my feet forward.

He doesn’t say anything in return.

I move quickly, stopping myself just short of running. Don’t look back, I tell myself. Don’t you dare.

But because I never listen, I do it. I sneak a peek over my shoulder.

Aiden Jeon stands there, hands stuffed in his pockets, watching me as I walk away.

And his dimples are on full display.

I head straight to the indie bookstore off-campus to meet Jeannette. We’re going to pick out some new books for her to read now that she’s over her midterms hump. I’m a little early, but I’m happy to pass the time scanning the aisles of the store.

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