And it turned out he was an excellent project partner. He’d handled most of the research, and now it was her turn. “You are indeed. These notes are practically perfect. I’ll write it up, we’ll turn it in, and then I think you’ll be a graduate of Tulane. Are you excited?”

“Of course,” he said, and then his voice went low. “It was a surprise to realize I was missing a couple of classes. I was upset when I had to take a history class in my senior year. Well, year and a half. I should have graduated after fall semester. I was bitter about it, but I’ve enjoyed this time with you. It was good to get to know you again.”

She could get so emotional about him. A wistful longing flowed through her veins. “I know. I thought it was weird seeing you outside of Papillon, but now I know I’m going to miss you.”

The mood seemed to shift, the air becoming warmer than before as Rene moved closer to her. “I’m going to miss you, too, Sylvie. I’m going to miss you a lot. This semester has been a revelation for me.”

Why was she suddenly breathless? He’d only moved a couple of inches closer, but she’d felt his intent change from casual to something more intimate. Had she misread him? All these months she’d thought he was alone because his friends had graduated the semester before. She’d figured he’d told her brother he would watch out for her.

What if he’d wanted to spend time with her? What if these long months of dancing around each other were supposed to lead to something more?

“Me, too,” she managed.

His hand came out and touched hers, easing over her arm and spreading warmth across her skin. “We’ve known each other for a long time, but spending time with you away from home has shown me a different side of you.”

That made her smile. “A side that isn’t a nuisance?”

She expected him to laugh but his expression intensified. “You were never a nuisance. I never once resented you coming over with your brother. You were always smart and kind and good to the people around you.”

She breathed in to stop the tears that threatened. She hadn’t thought he’d noticed her. “Well, you and Andre were different from other boys. You never told me to go away. I appreciated that.”

Sometimes when her brother would go to Rene’s house or he would come to theirs, she would tag along on whatever adventure they were having, and neither boy made her feel unwelcome. At the time she’d simply thought it was how brothers and sisters worked, but now she knew what a true jewel her older brother and his friend had been.