The moment those words leave Reid's mouth, both his eyes and the manager's swivel toward me, their intensity pressing me to agree. The weight of Reid's gaze was almost impossible to ignore.
There was just one problem: saying yes would mean taking pictures with Reid. From the manager's starry-eyed expression, it was clear she envisioned intimate photosâthe kind that would end up plastered on social media, dragging me back under the public's microscope.
"Excuse us," I say sharply, grabbing Reid's hand before he can protest. I pull him outside, away from prying eyes. Once we're clear, I let go of his hand, but I can't help noticing how my palm tingles from the contact.
Grow up, Isla. This is disgraceful.
"What do you think you're doing?" I demand, crossing my arms to steady myself.
Reid leans casually against the wall, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "I'm sorry, I think I'm a bit lost. Care to explain?" His smooth British accent adds an infuriating charm to his words.
"You honestly want to be in the promotional photos for this café?" I ask, hoping he hadn't fully grasped what the manager had suggested.
"Only if you want me to," he replies, running a hand through his dark hair before folding his arms across his broad chest. He tilts his head slightly, the picture of nonchalance.
Was this some kind of trap? Only if you want me to. What was that even supposed to mean? If I said yes, would it imply something? If I said no, would it mean something else entirely? Every interaction with Reid Carter felt like walking into a labyrinth without a map.
"Well," I say, choosing to play his game, "I'm just worried it'll give people the wrong impression. The gossip about us finally died down. Do we really want to stir that up again?"
I expect him to agree, to back out of the photos like any rational person would. After all, he went to great lengths to get the article about us removed. Surely he wouldn't undo all that effort for a few silly photos.
But Reid just shrugs. "I don't really care what people think. You shouldn't either."
What? Wasn't he the one so concerned about the gossip not too long ago? Now, suddenly, he doesn't care?
"I don't," I say defensively, even though my pulse quickens at the lie.
"Then what's the harm in taking a couple of pictures together?"
"Who said we couldn't?"
"So you're fine with it, then?"
"I guess I am," I blurt out, regretting it the moment the words leave my mouth.
"Brilliant. See you inside." Reid flashes me that signature smirk, the one that always signals he's won. As he saunters back into the café, I stand there, face-palming.
Why do I keep letting him do this?
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I walk back into the café, bracing myself for whatever ridiculous setup the manager has planned. Reid is already at my table, leaning over my laptop with mild interest.
"Hey!" I dart forward, pulling my laptop toward me like it holds state secrets. It's just schoolwork, but somehow, having Reid look at it feels too personal.
His brows knit together, and for a fleeting moment, concern flickers across his face. "All right there?" he asks, his voice soft but probing.
Clutching my laptop to my chest, I glance around. The staff and manager are all watching us, their gazes suffocating. The noise of the café starts to fade, replaced by a familiar, overwhelming static in my head. My breath quickens.
No, not now. Not here.
Panic grips me, pulling me under, until warmth radiates through my arm.
I glance down to find Reid's hand wrapped around mine. He doesn't look at me. Instead, he's talking to the manager, his tone light and conversational, as if nothing is wrong. But his thumb rubs slow, calming circles against my skin, grounding me.
With every touch, the tension in my chest eases. My breathing steadies.
Reid finally glances my way, his eyes locking on mine. "Better?" he murmurs under his breath, so low only I can hear.
I nod, barely trusting myself to speak.
And just like that, he pulls me back to solid groundâwithout fanfare, without fuss.
Once I'd managed to settle my mind and find a sense of peace, I tried to pull my hand away, but Reid held me in place. Slowly, he guided me to sit next to him.
He wedged our hands between our bodies, keeping them hidden from the prying eyes of the customers and staff. His thumb gently stroked mineâa gesture so casual yet so deliberate. And still, he wouldn't look at me. It was as if he was purposely avoiding my gaze, his eyes fixed anywhere but on me.
"So, we were thinking you two could just study together. You know, simple poses like looking at the laptop, jotting something down, and maybe drinking coffee," the manager explained in a tone so sugary it made my stomach churn.
"Ah, so... like a café date," Reid said casually, his accent rolling smoothly off his tongue.
I nearly choked on air. Was he serious?
"Exactly! Like a café date!" the manager gushed, clapping her hands excitedly.
Reid finally turned to face me, his blue eyes locking onto mine with a piercing intensity that made my stomach flip. "We can do that easily, can't we, love?"
Oh, he was definitely playing a game. He knew the effect his words had on me and was clearly enjoying watching me squirm.
I froze, completely caught off guard. What was I supposed to say to that? Before I could formulate a response, the manager's camera flashed. I turned to her, wide-eyed.
"Sorry! You two just looked so perfect. I couldn't help myself," she said with a sheepish grin.
"Right. So, we're done, then?" I asked, already packing up my things, desperate to escape this circus.
"Not yet," Reid said, his grip on my hand firm.
"We still have to study, don't we?" he added, that infuriating smirk tugging at his lips.
I rolled my eyes. Of course, he wasn't going to make this easy. With my free hand, I tried to set up my laptop again, but it was a clumsy effort. Reid's grip on my other hand was unwavering, and he made no move to help me. Typical.
The photo shoot dragged on, each pose more awkward for me than the last. Reid, naturally, looked like he'd stepped out of a magazineâeffortlessly charming and infuriatingly photogenic.
"Just one last one," the manager said, her tone directed firmly at me. "With a little more feeling this time."
Before I could roll my eyes again, Reid called my name softly. The sound pulled my attention, and I turned to him, only to freeze as his hand brushed against my face. Gently, he tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear.
The gesture caught me completely off guard. My heart raced as his scent filled the air between usâclean, warm, undeniably him. His proximity, his touch, the way his gaze lingered... it was too much.
The camera clicked, and I didn't need to look around to know that every eye in the café was on us. My chest tightened with panic.
Grabbing my things, I thanked the manager and bolted out of the café. I barely made it to my car before I heard footsteps behind me.
"Isla, wait!" Reid called, hot on my heels.
I pressed the button on my keys, unlocking my car. But before I could slip inside, Reid slid into the passenger seat. I slid in too, keeping my eyes ahead, unable to look at him.
"Too far?" he asked after a moment of silence.
What was I feeling right now? Was It anger? Embarrassment? Frustration? I had no idea, my emotions were swirling, an uncontrollable mess.
"You think?" I snapped, harsher than intended. Taking a deep breath, I softened my tone. "I just... I don't want people getting the wrong idea again."
"They're just photos, Isla," he said, his tone infuriatingly dismissive.
"Right," I muttered, knowing that arguing with him was pointless. I just needed to get him out of my car. "Anyway, I need to head back to my dorm."
"Cool. Can you drop me off, then?"
I stared at him, incredulous. "Your frat house is in the opposite direction."
"I'm not going to the frat house. I'm heading to my houseâyou know, the one you dropped me off at the other day."
Memories of that day flashed through my mind, and with them, the image of Isabel. Would it be inappropriate to ask about her now? Instead, I said, "That's thirty minutes out of my way, Reid."
"Yeah, I know. Thanks," he said with an infuriating grin.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want to!"
"For someone who agreed to be friends, you're not being very friendly," he teased, his smirk growing.
I sighed. He wasn't wrong, but indulging him would only lead to more chaos.
"Fine. I'll find another way," he said, feigning defeat. "Oh, by the wayâyour phone?" He held out his hand expectantly.
"What for?"
"Just give it. It's not like I'm going to steal it."
Reluctantly, I handed it over.
He punched away on the screen for a moment before I heard his phone ring. Handing it back, he pulled out his own phone with a triumphant smile.
"Save my number, yeah?" he said, opening the door and stepping out.
"I'll see you later," he added, walking away without another word.
I sat there, my forehead resting on the steering wheel.
Why does he keep doing this? Was it fun for him to torment me? What karmic debt was I paying for this?
Stop being dramatic, my subconscious scolded. I rolled my eyes. She was just as annoying as he was.
I reached for my keys, ready to start the car when it hit meâI forgot to order something for Maddie.
Great. So much for my do-over.
Authors note:
Thank you for reading. Pls vote and comment. Love y'all.