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“No.” Despite the relief flooding through me at not being out money, his proximity had me on edge. My heart pounded against my ribcage to the point of pain as I broke eye contact.
“That’s good,” he said, his voice deep and commanding.
“Uh, yeah.” I swore my skin flushed as red as my folder. My brain couldn’t figure out why he was here, speaking to me. I tried picking up my notebook, but I fumbled with it.
“Here, let me.” His fingers brushed mine as he took my laptop, notebook, folder, and phone out of my hands. He set them on a chair nearby and picked up the girls’ things too.
“No, it’s fine,” I said, annoyed.
Why were Lily and Jessica taking so long? I didn’t want to be alone with Theo Sanders. Not when my body was about to have a meltdown.
“Why are you—” I started.
“Can I please speak with you about Professor Aldridge?” He swallowed hard, and his throat moved in a very distracting way.
“What about her?”
I adored Professor Aldridge. She reminded me a lot of who my mom used to be before Dad got diagnosed with cancer. Before she only called me when she needed money or told me I was selfish.
The kind, fun, supportive version of my mom was long gone.
Professor A was all energy and questions and challenging us to think outside the box. She was the reason I helped tutor younger students once a week. She believed in giving back, whether it was energy, time, what have you, so if he wanted to talk to me about her… I’d listen. If he had something negative to say, I’d snap at him.Ha, not really. I couldn’t snap at anyone if I tried. My thoughts were aggressive, but my actions weren’t. Quentin used to make fun of me for it, but the angrier or ruder he became, the quieter and more inward I did.
Theo gripped the back of his neck and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. I hated that I noticed his body. Sure, he was toned. And wore gray shorts that showcased his thighs and a Wolves T-shirt that hugged his chest. Big whoop.
“She told me I could find you here.” He flashed a smile, and his blue eyes warmed. I didn’t like seeing that kindness on his face. It didn’t fit. He was too rugged, too big, too… hockey to have a kind face.
“She said you were the best person to speak to about the nursing program here and that you’d be willing to help me this first week.” He shrugged. “I can buy you coffee as a bribe. She might’ve mentioned you have a weakness for cold brews.”
My face flushed even more as I stared at the way his lips curved. He had one dimple on his left side. Not on the other. I couldn’t help but notice this. I studied human bodies for a living. Not the point. If Professor A had mentioned my name… “Why do you need any information on the nursing program?”
“Ah, well, because I’m in it?” He laughed, but his cheeks reddened, and he looked away. “I’d love to have a quick tour.”
“Tour? I can definitely give you a tour. What are you wanting to see?” Jessica appeared fast, her pulse racing at her neck. It was like she’d run back here.
I didn’t want to give Theo Sanders any of my time, but I also didn’t care for Jessica doing it either. Analyzing why I felt that would be a terrible idea. So, I didn’t. I blurted out, “Tomorrow, eight am.”
He smiled wide, still only one dimple appearing. “Deal. Anything in the cold brew?”
I shook my head. “Just caffeine.”
He chuckled before shoving his hands in his pockets. The gesture was sexy for some silly reason, and I forced myself to think about taxes.
“Should we meet outside the student union?” he asked, half a smile on his lips.
“Oh. You’re going to give it?” Jessica tossed a towel on the table, missing the spot that was wet. “I can join too.”
“I appreciate that,” Theo said, his smile widening. “Another time, for sure. Professor Aldridge suggested I meet with Audrey, and despite being a rough hockey player, I like to follow a professor’s suggestion.”
Then he winked.
Jessica giggled and leaned closer to him. The whole thing was so familiar, and it clicked. I knew why I offered to help him. It wasn’t my fierce loyalty to Professor A. It was the fact that girls like Jessica were always trying to seek clout or fame or something from athletes. I might hate Theo, but I’d seen enough people like Jessica to want to protect him from it.
She’d use him, and while I didn’t want the jerk to experience joy until Quentin was back on the ice, I didn’t want his entire life ruined. My feelings were…complicated.
“I’ll catch you ladies later.” He tapped his fingers on the table. “I’m sure we’ll have some classes together, yeah?”
“You’re in nursing?” Jessica’s voice went nuclear. “Oh my god. Do you have your clinical assignment yet? What if we’re together?”
