Opposite Attract

constantly pulled to the courtyard window. Outsi

tifully groomed black hair and confident stride amid the throng. I didn't mean to keep observing him; my desk had a great

r loverboy and focus..." Lucy's

which was neatly arranged with flashcards and not

eeks. "I didn't star

ugh notes. "I could almost hear you panting f

om the window. Noah selected that opportunity t

elf to concentrate on my blank Wor

from her color-coded study materials. "Until you address this unre

staken; I had only written one phrase in the past hour. But what w

y would not res

lipping into my chair. "But trust me, he's

The first step is admitt

at her, but she dodged quickly, her grin growin

l hours productively, carefully ignoring the courtyard. By early evening, I'd made

ors across our room as I closed

asked, stretching. "My reward f

." She started putting her textbooks in her handbag. "

iling as I slipped on a jacket

hedding our garments. I diverted my gaze away from the bar area, where Noah and

d final projects for rumors about Lucy's hot TA in her psychology class. For one b

ry elective when noisy noises near the entrance disrupted the pub's peace

Lucy said quietly, h

pressing up to the bar, causing a scene. Their

s wandering gaze caught mine. Something dark and exhi

tension there," Lucy said cyni

e are igno

focus impossible. His friends took over an adjacent pool table, taunting each oth

and buried her nose in her phone. I moved the leftover

us, but there were plenty of other lovely men on campus. Despite the fa

ler groups went to the bar or foosball tables. To my relief, Noa

locate a drunk female to meet up with. A terrible emotio

table before she could reply. I walked across the bu

door. Instead of an empty restroom, I ha

ugh his phone. He glanced up as I entered, astonishment flas

aze moving gently up and down m

gh my humiliation. I looked a

e girls' bathroom?" I dema

an't a guy get some peace and quiet

o be a sanctuary," I said, my p

awn to my slacks and cropped sweater. "I will not mansplain or leave

u're dis

washed over me. Noah dominated the tiny roo

saw my agitation. I fought the impulse to

lowered to my lips, and his voice was low. "It

t pounding. "You really thi

leaned in and put his hand on the door ov

I'm wrong

into the light. But I had enough dignity to shak

ong," I sa

flared.

my sweatshirt. My breath caught. He saw my res

I refused to back away. Tens

open. Noah took a step back before

, my pulse thumping. But not before his swe

around, P