Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
EMMA
“That’s the one.” I point to the prints from Grayson’s photo shoot, spread out on the table where Ben and Oliver stand.
“We have to pick more than one for the article.” Oliver rolls his eyes, and I swear I still can’t tell after nearly two months of working together if he likes me or not.
The answer is probably no, and almost everyone likes me.
Aside from Samantha, the other writers have warmed up to me over time…
not that I’d ever fully trust them after the whole Simone’s incident.
Ben lays his finger on the same picture I’m pointing to. “I think she’s talking about the first big picture for the article, and I have to agree.” He looks up and winks at me.
My face flushes, and I attempt to ignore his action. “I can always take some at the soup kitchen this weekend, along with him cooking in class.”
Ben nods, and Oliver eventually relents.
“I’ll run it past Amelia to get her final approval.
” Ben starts stacking the pictures while I take a moment to look at the photograph again.
It’s the one I knew would come out the best. He’s smiling, with one hand in his pocket and the other running through his hair as he looks at me.
Of course, it’s not me who’s making him smile, but Marina who he was talking about at the time.
God, he’s handsome.
There are some other ones we marked to feature in the article, but this will be the one that’ll catch people’s attention. The article will probably be about two pages long with at least four pictures. Now, it’s up to me to take shots of him cooking, but I need to convince him first.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I let out a huff.
It’s probably the guys waiting for me to confirm our dinner at Roxy’s after Grayson’s lab this week.
We have to plan things at least two days in advance now with Levi’s job, Kamila’s internship at King’s Wolf, her job at the gym, and my job here at the paper.
When my screen lights up, it’s not the Scooby Gang group chat, but the only name in my contacts that has just one letter.
G: Meet me in the parking lot behind The Howler.
“Hey, I’m headed out now if you need a ride.”
My phone flips around in the air when Ben startles me, but I luckily manage to catch it and lock the screen immediately.
“God, you scared me.”
He raises a brow. “I was right next to you.”
“Um,” I stutter. “I get scared easily.”
“Okay…” He trails off. “So, is that a yes or no?”
I tilt my head to the side. “Yes or no to what?”
Ben laughs. “To the ride?”
My eyes widen, and I give him an innocent smile. I really need to learn how to stay calm, it’s not like he knows who I’m talking to.
“I’m good, actually. I’m going to meet up with a friend, and with the warm front that hit, I’d love nothing more than to not let this outfit go to waste.”
I do a little twirl, and my dark brown midi wool skirt swirls around.
It’s brand new, but the shoes are the ones I stole from my mom’s closet back home.
Her black wool Mary Jane pumps match perfectly with my beige blouse.
I’m happy that I chose to go the extra mile with my outfit today, especially now that I’m seeing Grayson, which is a complete and total surprise.
After I finish my two twirls, I gesture to my skirt. “Nice, right?” I’m all smiles before I notice Ben’s unreadable expression. “What?”
“You look beautiful.”
My breathing catches for a moment as I laugh nervously and shift on my feet. “I should probably get my things together.”
“Emma, wait.” There’s a small tug on my hand, and I turn to see Ben looking around. The newsroom has started to quiet down, but there are still a few people here, and the last thing we need is to be the gossip of the week.
Taking a step back, he opens his mouth, and says, “I don’t want to come off as a creep—”
“Not a great way to start a sentence,” I interrupt, and he laughs.
“I was wondering if, by any chance, you are single?” He looks down briefly when I don’t respond.
I suspected Ben had a thing for me, but I never wanted to sound like a bitch or embarrass him by assuming.
Maybe it’s better that it came up sooner rather than later.
I really hate leading anyone on, not that I would on purpose.
I’m about to respond when I realize that I am single, but not available. Shit.
Okay, calm down, Emma. Just tell him the truth without mentioning names.
“I technically am, but… It’s complicated.” It’s not a lie.
Ben clicks his tongue. “I knew I should’ve asked you out sooner. I was worried it might make you uncomfortable since we work together.”
Letting out a sigh at this nice man’s logical thinking, I nod.
“If it’s any consolation, Ben, I probably would’ve said yes last semester.
” Somebody like Ben deserves someone just as nice, if not nicer than him.
He’s sweet, respectful, talented, and good-looking.
“However, I think there’s someone else at the paper who’s had their eye on you for a while now. ”
His brow furrows. “Who?”
Searching the room to see if he’s here, I find him sitting at the desk he uses twice a week, motioning my head in his direction. “Eric, aka the guy who’s always staring at you when you’re not looking.”
He squints. “The part-time sportswriter?”
Nodding, I smile. “The very hot part-time sportswriter.” Eric is a good-looking guy—tall, muscular, blond, and on the basketball team when he’s not in the newsroom.
“I’ve heard that you swing both ways?” His lip quirks up, and he narrows his eyes.
“People at the paper like to gossip, and I just happened to overhear a conversation or two.” I can’t help my nosiness.
Ben smirks. “Yeah, I do.” He glances at Eric again. “I haven’t been with a guy in a while. Then again, I’ve been gathering up the courage to ask you out all semester.”
I frown at his confession. “I’m sorry, Ben.”
“No.” He shakes his head. “Don’t apologize, it’s not your fault you’re—” He pauses. “Is your relationship status ‘it’s complicated’? Because it shouldn’t be. Whoever you’re with now should lock you down before you slip through their damn fingers.”
My cheeks heat. “It is complicated, but I’m not unhappy about it. It’s hard to explain, and I’m not one to talk about my personal life with anyone.”
He puts his hands up in surrender. “I totally understand.” Ben leans over. “Sooo, Eric, huh?”
A grin spreads across my face. “Eric,” I confirm.
“And you’re sure?”
I contemplate his question. “My spidey senses—and the gossip I’ve overheard—say yes, but to be safe I’ll say ninety-nine percent sure.”
He sighs. “Good enough for me. I’ll get on that ASAP.” Ben places a hand on my shoulder. “Thanks for letting me know, and thanks for being honest.” Ben makes his way to Amelia’s desk, where she has her back turned to me.
My phone buzzes in my hand again, and I roll my eyes before lifting it to face level.
G: Tick. Tock.
Me: I’m coming, jeez.
He sends me an annoyed emoji, and I smile to myself as I pick up my purse and turn off my computer.
I wonder why Grayson’s waiting for me two parking lots away.
Not that the distance doesn’t make sense, but why today?
We didn’t have any plans this week, and I just assumed we’d wing it after seeing each other in his class like we usually do with these sex encounters.
When I reach the parking lot behind the English lit building, I have a realization.
We haven’t had sex yet.
Is he taking me to his house to do it? My hands grow clammy. It’s a good thing I shaved this morning because I’m not wearing any stockings.
Is this really it? Nerves churn in my stomach as I get closer and closer to the parking lot behind The Howler.
The Howler closes early every day, and by early, I mean at six p.m., which, by college standards, is extremely early.
That’s why I rarely get to eat there. They have some of the best salads and sandwiches on campus; it’s a real disappointment.
Speaking of which, I was hungry…before Grayson texted me. Frowning, I think about the pizza I was going to order.
“Damn.” Although, sex with the professor may fix all of that, maybe. If I say yes. What am I thinking? Of course I’ll say yes.
His car comes into view, and as if he senses my presence, his head swivels toward me, and a smile spreads across his handsome face.
Even through the parking lot lights and slightly tinted windows, the shape of his light-brown-colored hair is visible, and it looks perfect.
His glasses are still on—I’m guessing they’re on because of me—and instead of a button-down shirt, he’s wearing a dark green knitted sweater.
The image of the sweater alone turns me on. Ever since my friends and I saw the movie Knives Out, we grew to appreciate knitted sweaters because of Chris Evans—and this man is just as handsome as Chris motherfucking Evans.
Once I’m a few feet from the truck, he hops out, knowing I’ll need help to get into the passenger seat.
Grayson quickly scans the grounds as I do the same.
He doesn’t say anything and instead rounds the car to the passenger side.
My nerves are frayed by the confusion of his actions.
He’s probably doing it because we’re in an open space.
Not that my getting into a professor’s car is any better.
Grayson is leaning against the door, wearing dark jeans and black boots that complete his outfit. I bite my bottom lip, stopping myself from saying anything embarrassing.
When I reach him, I look into his eyes that lean more toward green than blue today.
“Hi,” I whisper.
“Hi,” he responds, and his eyes soften. “Come on, let’s get you inside so I can give you a proper hello off campus grounds.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “Yes, please.” A low chuckle leaves him as he places his hands at the bottom of my waist and guides me the same way he has twice before.