Page 32 of Crimson Promises
“If only you knew.” His teasing tone was gone, replaced with that same solemness I witnessed a few minutes ago.
“Okay...what’s your schedule like for the rest of the week?”
“No time like the present.”
I checked my phone. “I’m free after class for a few hours, but I have work later this afternoon.”
“I got nothin’ but time, sunshine.”
Actual cringe. Pressing my lips together, I pinched the bridge of my nose.
He half-smirked, revealing a dimple I hadn’t seen yet.A simple dimple shouldn’t make my limbs feel loose and relaxed like I just had wine.
“We can grab a coffee and discuss our paper. Then if I find anything useful at work later, I’ll let you know—you’re more than welcome to pass by anytime, by the way. I can give you a tour.” I bite the inside of my cheek.Why did I just say that?
“How could I turn down such a compelling offer? Plus, it will be good for me to get to know the rest of campus.”
“Are you new here?”
“Yeah. I transferred here in the middle of the semester and enrolled just over a week and a half ago, but I had to wait until the half-credit courses started. Some stuffy lady who smelled like muffins told me I wouldn’t be able to enroll in any full-semester courses. So here I am.”
“Where did you transfer in from?”
“Out of state.”
“Oh yeah, from where exactly?” I had never been outside of either Washington or Oregon. We didn’t have much family. Anytime I considered leaving, I thought of Dad, and all of my resolve crumbled. Now, being away from home, I was open to the possibility. Always eager to gobble up any information on how different people lived their lives.
“A small private school in North Dakota. You wouldn’t know of it.”
My shoulders slumped. He was right. I knew nothing about North Dakota. “What made you decide to come to ACU in the middle of the semester?”
“Didn’t have much of a choice.”
“That must have been hard.”
He nodded.
“Did your family come with you?”
“No.”
“What do you think of ACU so far?”
“Interesting.”
“Interesting, how?” I pressed.
“I’m still deciding.”
All I was getting were vague answers. I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable—I was just trying to make small talk.This is probably why friends were few and far to come by for me. I must make people feel awkward.
Deflated, I pressed my back to the chair.
“What are you majoring in?” The baritone of his voice caressed the shell of my ear.
“English literature and history.” I refused to make eye contact again. He wasn’t the only one who could offer one-word answers. Though technically, that was four.
“Do you like your job?”
