Page 10 of The Equation of Us
He sits across from me, immediately demolishing half his burger in one bite. “You’re brooding,” he says around a mouthful of food.
“I’m eating.”
“You’re staring at your mashed potatoes like they insulted your mother.” He takes another bite. “What’s up?”
I shrug. “Nothing.”
Gavin follows my gaze across the room, landing on Nora’s table. His eyes narrow. “Ah.”
“It’s not what you think.”
“No?” He grins. “Because it looks like you’re eyeballing Daphne’s friend pretty hard.”
“She’s my tutor.”
“Your tutor.” He draws out the word, making it sound dirty. “Right.”
“It’s not like that.”
“Sure.” He steals a fry from my plate. “That’s why you’re ignoring perfectly good food to stare holes in the back of her head.”
I don’t respond. Arguing with Gavin is pointless.
“She’s hot,” he says casually. “In that scary, might-stab-you-with-a-pen way.”
I can’t help the small laugh that escapes me. “She does have that vibe.”
“Serious question, though.” Gavin leans in, voice dropping. “Is this a rebound thing? Because Daphne’s sitting right there, and—”
“It’s not a thing at all,” I interrupt. “She’s my academic advisor. That’s it.”
Gavin studies me for a moment, then nods. “If you say so.”
“I do.”
“Good.” He relaxes. “Because you don’t need that complication right now. Not with the Archer Initiative coming up.”
I blink, surprised. “How did you know about that?”
“Whitman mentioned it to Coach. Said you were on the shortlist if you get your shit together.” He grins. “Which you will, because you’re Dean fucking Carter, and you don’t know how to fail.”
The vote of confidence warms me more than it should. “Thanks, man.”
“Don’t get sappy on me.” He stands, grabbing his tray. “I’ve got a study group. You going to be okay, or do you need me to hold your hand some more?”
“I’m good.”
“Yeah.” His expression softens just slightly. “You usually are.”
As he walks away, I chance one more glance at Nora’s table. She’s still there, still listening to her friends, still seemingly unaware of my attention.
But as I watch, her eyes flick up, meeting mine across the room. Just for a moment. Just long enough to let me know she sees me too.
I look away first this time, gathering my tray, my composure, my control.
This isn’t anything. It can’t be anything.
But as I walk out of the dining hall, I can feel her gaze following me, cool and steady and curious.
