It took Deja a second to register his words, and when she did, she ducked her head and stepped forward. Alejandro snaked his arm around her side and squeezed her waist quickly. He hoped he’d moved fast enough that no one had seen, but if they had... Touching Deja would always be worth it.

“Let me buy you coffee,” he said as the line inched forward.

She shook her head.

He rolled his eyes. “Colleagues buy each other coffees and lunches all the time. No one will think twice about it.”

“But…”

He raised his eyebrows at her, and she smiled shyly.

She chewed her bottom lip for a few more seconds. “Fine.”

“Doc,” someone said. “Excuse me, Doc.”

Alejandro and Deja turned to see Jerome Miles standing next to them in line.

“Oh, hey, Dr. Mendoza, what’s up?”

“You two know each other?” Deja asked.

“Yeah, I’ve been to a couple LSU discussion forums as the BSU rep,” Jerome said.

“Jerome always has great contributions,” Alejandro said and watched as the student smiled and ducked his head. “How do you two know each other?”

Jerome’s entire face lit up. “Doc’s my advisor. She’s the best.”

Alejandro looked down at Deja. “Yeah, she is,” he said, unable to keep the wistful notes from his voice.

“Next,” the cashier called.

“That’s us,” Deja said, clearly desperate to change the subject, as she always was when there was too much attention on her.

“I got you,” he said. “You and Jerome go ahead and talk.”

“Alright, bet,” Jerome said.

Deja frowned at Jerome. “Boy, what now?”

Alejandro shook his head and laughed as he walked away to order, but he turned back to see Deja, her entire demeanor changed.

She’d crossed her arms in front of her chest and was looking up at Jerome with skeptical eyes. Her demeanor was stern but playful as she gave her student her full attention. Alejandro wished Deja could see herself the way he and her students did.