Page 69 of Kismet

“Yes. We work together and have to see each other all the time. I really would like to be friends. There’s no reason it needs to be so tense all the time.”

My fingers run through my hair, messing it up further than it already is, as I think over what he’s asking.

“I wish you would’ve been honest with me. About being here, I mean.”

“Would you have come?”

I hold his gaze for a few seconds before being honest. “No, probably not.”

“That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you.”

A dry laugh bubbles out of me. “Stone, that isn’t for you to decide. You don’t get to lie to me because you think it’s helping me do the right thing. That isn’t your place. I deserve to know the whole truth.”

“You’re right, Cash. And I’m sorry. I made a judgment call, and it was the wrong one.” He sounds so sincere, it almost knocks me off my ass.

“Whatever. Congrats on your fancy award.”

A smile tugs on his lips. “Thanks.”

“Is that your first time winning it?”

“Nah. I won it my second year here.”

“Well, aren’t you cool.” I laugh.

“As a matter of fact, I am. Thank you for noticing.”

For the first time since I arrived in Texas and learned of his presence, the air feels… lighter, almost. I’m not who I was five years ago, and I can’t hold a grudge forever. I can’t walk around wanting to rip his head off day in and day out. If not for him, then for me. I owe it to myself to move on from this chip on my shoulder. Be happy.

“Listen,” I start, taking a breath. “I appreciate you explaining this to me. I’m not sure I’m ready to be friends, but wedowork together, and should behave as such. How about I promise to be professional and not bite your head off whenever I see you, if you promise to not trick me into going places again?”

A flash of disappointment washes over his face, but instead of acting on it, he simply smiles and nods. “That I can do.”

“Great. Well, I’m gonna get going. Have a great rest of your night.” And with that, I order a car and head back to my hotel room.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Stone Philips

It’s been a month since the convention. Things with Cash and I aren’t friendly, really, but they aren’t as tense as they were before. When he sees me around campus, he doesn’t scowl at me anymore. He doesn’t stop and talk to me either, but baby steps.

I have to head over to the English department to give Stella some documents she needs, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hoping to run into Cash. I’m almost positive he has a free period right now.

Not that I’ve memorized his class schedule or anything. That would be crazy.

The halls in the English department are bare. Everyone either in class or gone for the day. Both of their classrooms are on the second floor, so I take the elevator up there, hanging a left where Stella’s classroom is, the third door on the left.

She’s currently teaching, which is why I chose to bring them up right now. I didn’t want to get dragged into a long conversation with her. She sure as fuck knows how to chat. Leaving the documents in her drop box, I spin on my heel, making my way across the hall, two doors down, to where Cash’s class is.

I haven’t been here at all since he started. Peering in the window on the door, I spot him at his desk, typing away on his laptop, but as I figured, his classroom is empty. I rap my knuckles lightly on the door, before pushing it open.

“Hey, Cash.” My hands are shoved into my pockets as I stroll into the room. It’s a huge room, and somehow it still smells just like him.

“Oh, hey, Dean Philips.”

“Please, you can really just call me Stone. No need to be so formal.”You know, since once upon a time, my dick saw the inside of your ass.

“How can I help ya, Stone?”

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