“He’s already on his way over, so you may want to put on a bra.”
She settles for an oversized sweatshirt instead. Just as she pulls her long, black ponytail out of the shirt’s neck, there’s a knock on the door. My heart jumps. I’m nervous and excited. I haven’t laid eyes on Leo since our hike.
I note Liv’s expression as I welcome him into our room. She’s full-on gawking. That could be because Leo’s mercilessly gorgeous, but I suspect it’s also because he’s not at all what she was expecting. His dark clothes and studious demeanor have caught her off guard. He’s no frat boy.
She manages a “hi” as he smiles and shakes her hand.
“It looks like you two are busy,” he says, glancing about the room. I look around, too, and inwardly groan. There are papers and books and clothes everywhere. I should’ve straightened up. Come to think of it, I should’ve brushed my hair and checked my make-up.
Liv says pointedly, “We’re finishing up our Sorority Rush applications.”
“Ah, yes. Isn’t that happening sometime soon?”
“January,” I reply.
Liv adds, “But the applications are due tomorrow.” She really wants him to know what our priorities are.
Leo’s eyes meet mine. “Well, I won’t keep you.”
“It’s alright,” I tell him. “I’m almost finished.”
He hoists his slipping backpack. “So I was wondering if I could borrowAnne of Green Gables.”
“Really?” That’s the last book of mine I thought he’d want to read. Most of the guys in my children’s lit class—you know, all three of them—struggled through it. It seems most men in their early twenties find it difficult to relate to a loquacious eleven-year-old girl.
“Yes, really,” Leo chuckles. “I liked what you read to me.”
“You did?”
He’s wearing his knee-weakening lopsided smile. “Anne sounds a lot like someone I know.”
“Oh,” I breathe.
Liv clears her throat. She pulls the thick paperback from the top shelf of the bookcase and hands it to me, her eyes darting back and forth between my and Leo’s faces.
I say to him, “I hope you don’t mind a bunch of notes and highlighting.”
“Not at all. They’ll point out to me what’s important.”
“Okay then.” I hand him the book. “Enjoy.”
As he slidesAnneinto his backpack, his eyes fall on the bookcase. Looking for what to borrow next? He scans the middle shelf where Liv’s textbooks are lined up according to height. “Are you an environmental science major?” he asks her.
She looks up at him, eyes wide. “Yeah.” She seems both suspicious and in awe of him at the same time.
I want to tell her he’s a plant whisperer, but she’ll think I’ve lost my mind. Instead, I say, “Leo knows a ton about plants and trees. I learned a lot from him when we were on our hike.”
Liv tilts her head. “Really?” She’s flummoxed by this guy.
“Just kind of a hobby,” he says modestly. “Have you been down to the river much?”
“A little bit. We’ve done field studies in some of my classes. There are some rare species down there, for sure.”
Leo gives her a full smile that she can’t resist returning. “Well, Ihope we can talk trees sometime when we aren’t all so busy.” He swings his backpack over his shoulder and turns toward the door.
And that’s when he spots my crushed faerie wings stuffed on the top shelf of my wardrobe. “Your wings are a little worse for wear.”
“I know. I keep thinking there’s some way to salvage them.” For some reason, I can’t bring myself to throw them out.
