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"I’ for your lunch because that’s the way my mama raised me," he says quietly "Call ulp down another rush of guilt "I’htly "Thank you for lunch I appreciate it"

We edge to the other end of the counter, waiting in silence as a curly-haired girl prepares my ham and Swiss sandwich She wraps it up forthe Diet Coke I’d ordered Then we’re on thein a and unwrap my sandwich at the same time

"Let me hold this for you" He takes the bottle froentleness on his face as he watches htly toasted rye bread

I barely chew before I’ry?" he teases

"Fa rude by talking with ain, he keeps up with me

"You shouldn’t eat while you walk," he advises

"No time My next class is all the way across casht-iron benches on the lawn It hasn’t snowed yet this winter, but the grass is covered with a silver layer of frost Tucker forces me to sit, then drops down beside ht bolt Which I was totally considering doing before that big hand hts and warive yourself two , saht when he told me to ride his face, when he ordered et this guy out of ives a mysterious smile "Guess you’ll never know"

Despitesexy, wasn’t it?"

He whistles innocently

"It was!" I accuse, and then experience a jolt of self-directed recrimination, because, damn it, I bet it was filthy and delicious and wonderful

"Listen, I’ to take up much of your time," he says "I know you’re busy I know you commute from Boston I know you have a few jobs--"

"Two," I correct My head tips in challenge "And hoould you know that?"

He shrugs "I’ve been asking around"

He has? Crap As flattering as that is, I’ and what they’ve been telling him Aside from Hope and Carin, I don’t spend much time with my peers I know I come off as aloof at times--

Fine, bitchy Aloof is just a nice word for bitchy And while I’m not thrilled that my classmates think I’m a bitch, there’s not y to rab coffee after class, or to pretend that I have anything in common with the wealthy, elitist kids that coe

"The point," he finishes, "is that I get it, okay? You’re swa you to wear irl"