Page 80 of Boiling Point
He leaned in slightly, voice low—just for me. “You’re the only one who could ever get away with something like that.”
I blinked, unsure if I’d heard him right. “I’d never ask,” I said, almost whispering.
“I know.” His gaze softened, gray eyes smoldering. “That’s one of the many reasons I love you.”
The world stuttered to a halt.
Neither of us moved. Neither of us breathed.
He glanced down at the desk—a beat too long.
Then, so gently it almost hurt, he reached for my notebook like nothing had happened. “Now,” he said, voice a shade unsteady, “show me where you’re stuck.”
My phone buzzed and clattered on the kitchen table.
Aunt Suzy…
I sighed. I couldn’t dodge her forever, so I might as well get this over with.
“Gabrielle! Sweetheart!” Aunt Suzy’s voice burst from the phone like a flood of glitter and frosting. I braced myself with a deep breath.
“Hi, Suzy,” I said.
“Oh? I’mjustSuzy now, am I?”
I ran a hand through my hair and sank back in my chair. “Sorry. Hi, Aunt Suzy.”
“Well, don’t keep me in suspense. How did midterms go?”
“They were fine,” I said, trying to sound more relieved than exhausted. “I’m just glad they’re over.”
“Well, tell me everything,” she chirped. “How do you think you did? I’m sure you aced them.”
A knock on the door made me jump. I bit my lip, torn between relief and panic, and crossed the room.
“One sec,” I said, opening the door.
Cal stood there, backlit by the soft afternoon light. His jeans were worn just right, black turtleneck stretched comfortably across his chest. A leather jacket hung open over it, his motorcycle helmet tucked under one arm.
I swooned internally, glancing over my shoulder. “You’re early,” I mouthed, signaling him to stay quiet.
He grinned, a silent question in his eyes. I motioned him in, finger to my lips. He nodded, catching on, and slipped in quietly.
“Are you still there?” Aunt Suzy asked.
“Yeah, sorry,” I said, watching Cal slip off his jacket. “What were you saying?”
“How do you think you did on your midterms?”
“Calculus and French were As,” I said, trying to focus on the call and not the way he looked so completely at home in my apartment. He draped his jacket over the back of a chair. My pulse quickened, and I risked a glance at Cal. “But the other grades haven’t posted yet.”
He raised an eyebrow, more amused than surprised. Heat crept into my cheeks, and I knew he noticed. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching me with a look that was equal parts interest and mischief.
“I’m sure you did just fine.” I could hear the smile in Aunt Suzy’s voice. “Especially since you have that ‘special friend’ to study with. How’s that going, by the way?”
Her question landed with the subtlety of a grenade.
“It’s going,” I said, aiming for nonchalance. I turned slightly, hoping to hide the way my face had gone embarrassingly hot.
