Thursday morning.
8:00 a.m. sharp.
And Aria was already regretting showing up early.
The classroom was quiet — too quiet — until she heard that familiar, cocky voice behind her.
"Well, look who finally decided to take education seriously."
She didn't have to turn to know who it was. Ethan Cole.
Dressed in a white shirt rolled to the elbows, backpack slung lazily over one shoulder, and that smug look that made her blood pressure spike.
"Don't start," she said, eyes still on her notes. "It's too early for your nonsense."
He dropped his bag beside her. "Relax, Blake. I come in peace."
"Last time you said that, my notes disappeared."
He grinned. "Technically, they were relocated for your own good."
"Technically, I could throw this pen at your head."
"Tempting. But then who'd carry the project grade?"
She shot him a glare sharp enough to kill small plants.
Before she could respond, their professor, Dr. Bennett, walked in — older, calm, and completely aware that half the class came for the drama, not the lecture.
"Good morning, everyone. Let's talk about your midterm projects," he began, flipping through a folder. "You'll each be working with your assigned partners for the next three weeks."
Aria's stomach sank. Ethan leaned back, smiling like the devil himself.
Dr. Bennett continued, "Your topic: Ethical Leadership and Influence. You'll research, prepare a twenty-minute presentation, and submit a written report."
"Twenty minutes?" Aria muttered. "That's a lifetime."
Ethan smirked. "Plenty of time for you to stare at me in awe."
She looked at him like she was calculating his expiration date. "I'll stare when you start making sense."
The professor cleared his throat. "Mr. Cole, Miss Blake — since you both seem highly invested in ethics, I expect a flawless presentation. No excuses."
"Of course, sir," Ethan said smoothly.
Aria's mouth twitched. "Yes, sir. No excuses… unless one of us mysteriously disappears."
The class laughed. Dr. Bennett just sighed. "You two will meet twice a week in the research room. I'll be checking progress personally. Understood?"
"Understood," Ethan replied, grinning.
"Crystal clear," Aria said flatly.
When class ended, she started packing fast, hoping to escape before he could speak again. No luck.
"Hey, Blake," Ethan called, catching up with her in the hallway. "How about we meet tonight to outline the project?"
She didn't even slow down. "Can't. I have plans."
"Plans or excuses?"
"Plans that don't involve my blood pressure skyrocketing."
He chuckled, walking beside her. "Come on, it's just one meeting."
"Fine," she said, stopping abruptly. "Tonight. Seven. Library. But if you're late, I'm leaving."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
"Oh, and Ethan?"
"Yeah?"
"Wear something that says 'serious student,' not 'campus flirt.'"
He grinned. "No promises."
---
Later That Evening…
Aria sat at a corner table in the library, laptop open, tapping her pen impatiently.
6:59 p.m. — and of course, no sign of him.
7:10.
She was about to pack up when the chair opposite her slid out.
Ethan. Late, but annoyingly good-looking — sleeves rolled up again, tie loose, smirk still intact.
"Miss me?" he asked, dropping his notebook.
"You're late."
"I was fashionably delayed."
She sighed. "Okay, listen — we're not here to flirt, argue, or waste time. We just need to finish this project and go our separate ways. Deal?"
He leaned forward slightly, eyes locking with hers. "You sure about that last part?"
Her heart tripped for half a second — and she hated that it did.
"Yes," she said firmly. "Absolutely sure."
," she said firmly. "Absolutely sure."
"Then let's see how long you can keep that promise, partner."