Stopping my bike in front of the small coffee shop, my eyes are immediately drawn toward her. She's walking up the sidewalk. The tiny cafe is nestled into a quiet corner in a peaceful part of town.

I've been looking forward to today for three days. I texted her twenty minutes after she gave me her number. She didn't respond until the next day. I feel like a fish left dangling on a hook.

"This place is quite a hike," I try to seem casual when she approaches. Her hair is pulled up today, and she's wearing a large jumper. She looks natural and comfortable. It doesn't appear she went out of her way to impress me which only impresses me more. She's here for the assignment, she could give a rats arse about me. I've been thinking of her since we met, but I don't think it's mutual.

"That's why I like it, it's quiet and calm. No one from campus would come all the way out here to study." She's staring at my bike with an unreadable expression.

"You don't approve?"

"I don't have to approve, do I? You're a grown man, you can do what you like." She shrugs.

I'm pleasantly surprised that she doesn't call me roadkill or any of the other names people feel compelled to share with people who ride a motorbike.

"Should we order first?" I follow her in. It looks more like a library than a coffee shop. There are shelves everywhere filled with books.

"Sure," she smiles at the woman behind the counter.

"Evie! Good to see you, your usual?"

"Hi, Susan. Yes, please." Her smile makes my breath catch.

I've never felt jealous of an old woman before...I guess there really is a first time for everything. Evie. It suits her.

"And for you?" Susan turns to me.

"Just black coffee, please." She looks between us and smiles before pouring two cups of black coffee.

"I've got it," I quickly pull out my wallet.

"Thank you, I'll get the next round," she takes her coffee and walks past the counter down a small hallway. I follow her even though it looks like she's leading me toward the loo. The hallway opens into a very small room with only two tables, a few oversized armchairs, and several stacks of books.

"This is my favorite spot," she plops down into one of the well-worn chairs.

Pulling another chair a bit closer, I sit beside her as she starts pulling items from her bag.

"So, where are you from?"

She pauses her unpacking to look at me for a moment. "California." Offering no other details she pulls out her laptop.

"I spent a week on the California coast a few years ago. It was a study of current patterns..." I trail off.

"So, are you majoring in oceanography then?" She surprises me by asking.

"I am. You?"

"Marine Biology."

I've never been so awkward in all my life. I just stare at her as she unpacks the rest of the contents of her bag onto the table.

"I did a quick outline last night. I'm not sure how you like to work... if you would prefer to do parts separately then add them together or..."

"I think we should work together." I jump in a little too quickly.

"That works too. What is your schedule like? Can you meet on the weekend or are weeknights better?"

"I can make anything work." I'm so out of my depth here. She is calm, her soft shoulders are relaxed, she's leaning back in her seat...she's the picture of tranquility. Meanwhile, I'm hunched in my seat with my shoulders by my ears and my knee won't stop bouncing.

"If you give me your email I can share the document with you so we can work on it together," she hands me her laptop.

As I take it, the damn thing slips. I catch it before it hits the ground but I've spilled coffee all over the floor.

"Fuck..cunt!" I grumble. What the fuck is the matter with me?

Her giggle immediately stops my embarrassment cold. Her laugh is sweet and contagious. "Maybe you should stick to decaf."

"Sorry about that." I'm a mess. Something about her makes me nervous.

Adding myself to the document, I open it on my laptop to see what she's mapped out so far.

"You put this together last night?" This detailed breakdown of the assignment is incredibly thorough. It has the grading rubric and what we need to do to reach each requirement for high marks. She has each piece of the project plotted out by week.

"I wasn't sure what kind of partner you would be... if we would really share this or if I would have to take the bulk of the project on myself. I hope I've not stepped on your toes..."

"Not at all. I appreciate the work and effort but I'll be right here with you going forward." When she smiles at me, one of those bright, shiny ones like she gave Susan my heart nearly stops. What is it about her? I'm not usually the type to get tense and nervous but she makes me feel out of sorts. Not that I've been charming at all today but even if I was, I can tell that wouldn't work on her...

"Do you want to have dinner with me? Tonight? Or tomorrow... any night this week? Every night this week?" All the words rush out before I have a chance to phrase them in a way that doesn't make me seem crazy.

"Every night this week, huh?" She snorts.

"Yes," I can see the mistrust in her eyes. She doesn't believe me. I couldn't possibly be more sincere but I'm coming off like a bloody dickhead.

"Maybe we can meet again on Wednesday for the project and we can eat while we work..."

If this is the only way, sign me up.

"Wednesday sounds perfect."

That's two days to get my shit together.

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