“But we are in a group together now, which means we’ll be spending a whole lot of time together this semester. I thought it would just be easier on both of us if we were just cordial.”
“Cordial?”
Nico nods. “I just want to be friends.”
I narrow my eyes, menacingly. He raises his hands in defense. “Okay, okay. Not friends…yet. Classmates? How about that?”
I’m silent for a moment. Unfortunately, he’s not wrong. The fact that we’re in this group together means we will have to spend multiple hours together every week. I can spend those hours with steam pouring out of my ears or I can be…cordial.
With pursed lips, I take this white flag for what it is. “Fine.”
“Fine.” Nico smiles, extending his hand toward me. With a scoff, I push his hand away and continue walking toward the cafe. But I do allow him to walk with me this time, which is growth.
We walk the rest of the way in silence, and Nico holds the door open for me. I don’t resist the urge to roll my eyes.
“It’s pretty crowded. I’ll hold the table down over here if you wanna order.”
“I’m not buying you a coffee, dick.”
Nico chuckles, handing me a twenty dollar bill. “It’s on me. Just black for me.”
Whatever. Free coffee.I take the bill and walk toward the counter.
“Welcome to Groundbreaking, what can I—”
Blinking a few times, I bring myself back to focus. “Arden?”
He looks up at me. His face flushes, turns beet red then he takes a very deep breath and releases it. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have lab this afternoon?”
“They let us out early.” I know my eyes are as wide as saucers but I have no idea how else to react right now. Arden is on the other side of this counter. Huge, broad Arden is wearing a black apron and a backwards baseball cap that says GBC.God, he looks sexy. Shaking the visual of him wearingonlythe apron and cap out of my mind, I continue my thought.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were working here?”
“Why does it matter?” His harsh tone takes me aback.
“It doesn’t? Arden, I’m so confused, I—”
“What’s the hold up? Oh, hi.” Behind me, Nico puts his arm on my shoulder, but I immediately push it off. Arden doesn’t miss the contact, not for one second. His fist clench again and the muscle in his jaw jumps. “Wait, why do you look so shocked? Didn’t you know your boyfriend worked here?”
Nico is baiting me. Something is going on here that I’m not completely understanding but believe me, I’m going to find out.
“Of course I do. I just didn’t know he was workingtoday.”
Nico nods but it doesn’t seem like he fully believes me. He’s already on thin ice, we don’t need it to start cracking.
“You,” I point to Nico, “Go away.” To his credit, he backs off and goes to sit back at the table.
When I turn back to Arden, his knuckles are white. “You’re here…with him?”
“We’re in an anatomy group together.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Why does it matter?” I shoot his words right back to him before softening a bit. “Honestly, I didn’t think you’d care…” Because why would he? This fake relationship is for my benefit to make Nico think I’m taken. It really has nothing to do with Arden. He has no stake in the emotional aspect of Nico and I. He just needed a tutor.
“Of course I—” He stops himself. Taking another deep breath, he lets it out before continuing. “If we’re going to do this successfully, you need to tell me everything.”
I find myself nodding without even realizing. “Okay, Arden. I will from now on. But also, right back at ya.”