20
JOHNNY
How am I going to make this work?
I’ve been doing everything I can to avoid her, and now I’m quite literally being forced to be around her.
I’m going to ruin everything.
Each time I look at her, my hand twitches in its attempt to reach out to tuck her dark brown hair behind her ear. My gaze trails from her eyes down her delicate jawline, onto her perfectly plush lips. I don’t allow myself to go any lower, her body is enough to make my heart pound out of my chest.
It’s only a couple months.
I’ve done crazier things in my life, what’s one more?
“Okay, then. We should make a schedule.” She flips open her notebook and pulls out a pen. “Coordinate when we’ll be meeting.”
How can I possibly give her my availability when I have no fucking clue when Franklin will be requiring my services? He doesn’t exactly give me much notice, and if I keep him waiting, there is always a punishment of some kind.
But what’s the penalty with Claire? She already thinks I hate her, and I can only imagine she feels something similar toward me.
It’s one thing to ignore her and treat her badly, but wrecking whatever plans she has with her education would be the nail in my coffin.
“I’m free whenever.” The words that leave my mouth could both be the truth and a lie, but only time will tell which one it is.
She stops writing and glares at me. “Let’s take this day by day then.” Claire sighs and bites at her lip. “This evening? Six-ish? Are you free?”
My phone hasn’t gone off all day, and as of right now, I don’t foresee any issues with that time. Things are always subject to change, though. I had planned on doing some recon on my package location situation, but that can wait.
It’s not the brightest idea to blow off this impossible quest Franklin has thrown at me, but I can forfeit sleep to do that later. I’ll figure out a way to do everything, even if it spreads me super fucking thin.
“Yeah, that works.”
She nods. “Okay. We’ll meet in the courtyard, deal?”
For some stupid fucking reason, I extend my hand.
Even more surprising, she takes it into hers.
“Deal,” I say while I battle the distracting, incredible softness of her skin against mine.
* * *
The rest of the day goes by in a blur, my mind shifting in and out of the many things I need to be doing. I have homework to complete and a package to find, but everything seems unimportant compared to this six o’clock study date.
Why am I nervous? Why do I care? She already hates me. And honestly, that’s a good thing. Then maybe she won’t start to feel the way I do about her, and we’ll be able to maintain distance from each other outside of our obligations. She’ll be safe that way. From me, my world, and whatever danger comes with being a part of my life.
I have self-control! Why am I struggling so fucking much with this?
It’s just studying. Tutoring. Whatever you want to call it. She’s doing a job. And together, we’re completing an assignment that everyone else in the class has to finish.
“You all right, kid?” Bram nudges my shoulder.
I blink and take in the bright fluorescent lighting in his café. “Yeah.”
“You going to order anything?” He stands there waiting for me to stop being such an idiot.
“Coffee, to go. And um…”