Page 74 of Breaking the Rules
Hunter: Get back to your project.
Emma: Or?
Hunter: I'll see you tonight.
Emma: Until then.
* * *
We compromise on the concept.Use a coffee shop that sells a lot of beans online, so we have a mix of long-term and short-term inventory.
Over two hours and two more shots of espresso, we get there. Outline everything we need. Divide the work evenly. Joke about our stuffy professor.
Flirt.
It's easy.
Like with guys at the shop.
I don't care what happens with Collin. I don't care if he likes me. If he asks me out. If he goes home and fucks himself thinking about me.
It's a sick joke of human nature. The less invested we are, the easier things feel.
And it is easy.
Until the door swings open and Hunter steps inside.
He's fresh from work. Backpack on his shoulders. T-shirt hugging his chest. Jeans slung low around his hips.
His eyes meet mine. He nods ahello. Like he just happens to be here at ten minutes to closing.
This cafe is close to the shop.
A ten minute walk.
Five if you're fast.
But there are closer places. Better places.
I'm not buying this as coincidence.
He moves into the line casually.
Collin follows my gaze.
Stares at Hunter the way guys stare at other guys. Sizing Hunter up. Trying to see how he compares.
He doesn't.
But he's a decent guy.
A good time.
In theory.
"What are you doing tomorrow night?" I press my palms into the table.
"Studying." Collin turns to me. "You?"
