Meilin's POV
My pen scratched across the page, but every other word went fuzzy. Theo Ashford—six-foot-three problem with too many piercings and a brand-new cedar-and-citrus scent—was once again glued to my side.
While the professor droned on about contract formation, Theo's left hand crept from the back of my chair and settled—bold as sin—on my right shoulder.
Warm. Heavy. Possessive.
The weight sent a spark racing down my spine. My handwriting hiccupped; the neat line of case citations dipped like a roller-coaster track.
Behind us someone whispered, "He's touching her again—look!"
I kept my eyes on my notebook, cheeks flaming. Ignore him. You can ignore him.
Right.
Buzz.
Phone! Thank you, distraction.
> Ava:
So… he quit smoking for you, huh?
I typed beneath the desk, pretending to adjust my notes while Theo's thumb traced an absent-minded circle on my shoulder blade.
> Meilin:
Shut up.
Also, how do you type so fast with those claws?
> Ava:
Years of best-friend duty.
FYI, the entire back row is filming your shoulder moment. 😏
My pulse skidded. I risked a side-glance. Theo's eyes were fixed on the lectern, but the corner of his mouth curved—like he knew exactly what he was doing to me.
> Ava:
You're blushing.
Disney princess accidentally fell for tattooed villain. Iconic.
I jammed my phone under my notebook, determined to focus. The professor's slide changed. Offer, acceptance, consideration— simple. Breathe.
Theo leaned in, voice a velvet whisper. "Need a highlighter, Scholarship Girl?"
I didn't trust my tongue, so I shook my head.
His hand squeezed my shoulder—gentle, infuriatingly gentle—before sliding back to the chair. The spot he'd touched tingled like a live wire.
And all I could think, over the roar of my heartbeat, was:
Did he really stop smoking… for me?
---
As the lecture finally ended, I gathered my notes like my life depended on them. Theo didn't move, arm still draped casually behind me.
From the other end of the room, Ava stood, her tote bag slung over one shoulder, and shot me a look that screamed: We will talk about this later.
But then she paused—right in front of Austin Blake.
He leaned back in his chair, tossing a lopsided grin her way. "You always this punctual, or just when there's royalty around?"
Ava didn't skip a beat. "I could ask you the same. Stalking the freshman building again, Blake?"
He chuckled, low and teasing. "Guilty as charged. But today's detour had unexpected perks." He looked her over in that slow, knowing way.
Ava raised a brow. "Try that line on anyone else and it's an HR violation."
"Try it on you and it's a compliment," Austin countered, hand over his heart in mock sincerity.
I blinked. Was Ava... smiling?
She tilted her head. "Buy me coffee first. Then we'll see."
Austin's eyes gleamed. "You like it bitter, don't you?"
"I like it strong," Ava said, walking past him. "And unsweetened—just like me."
Theo whistled under his breath. "Your friend's got bite."
I stood, trying to will the heat off my cheeks. "She bites harder than she flirts."
Theo smirked. "Looks like your dorm's about to get way more interesting."