Emily stepped outside, determined to walk past him without a word.
It lasted exactly three seconds.
"Morning, angel," Ethan said, falling into step beside her like it was the most natural thing in the world.
She kept her eyes on the path ahead. "I have class."
"So do I," he replied easily.
"You go to class?" she muttered under her breath.
He chuckled, and the sound was deep enough to make her pulse stumble. "I'm full of surprises."
They crossed the main lawn, the late-morning sun glinting off the black watch strapped to his wrist. Emily could feel the weight of passing stares. It wasn't just her imagination — people actually slowed down to watch them, whispering behind their hands.
"You know you're making people talk," she said.
"Good," Ethan said without hesitation.
She blinked at him. "Good? Why?"
He glanced sideways at her, that faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Because it means they see you."
"I was fine being invisible."
"I wasn't," he said simply.
Her steps faltered for half a second before she recovered. "You don't even know me."
"I know enough," he said, and for a moment, there was something sharper in his gaze. Not teasing. Not playful. Assessing.
They reached the science building, and she felt a flicker of relief — until Ethan kept walking, steering her gently but firmly toward the opposite direction.
"Ethan, this is not my class."
"I know," he said, completely unbothered.
She stopped. "You're making me late."
He stepped closer, close enough that she caught the faint scent of expensive cologne. "What's the worst that could happen? You'll miss the first five minutes of biology? Or you'll have ice cream with me instead?"
She narrowed her eyes. "You can't keep bribing me with ice cream."
"Bribing implies you don't want it," he said. "And I think you do."
Her heartbeat betrayed her by skipping again.
Emily knew she should turn around, march into her lecture, and end whatever… this was. But somehow, she found herself still walking beside him when he said, "Good girl," and opened the passenger door of his Maserati.
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