I let out a breath like this is gonna be tough – a real imposition on my part. “I’ll help you the best I can.” This is gonna be cake. I can’t even try to hide my smile. “Admit it. You were just looking for an excuse to go out with me.”

She rolls her beautiful eyes.

I lean back in my chair. “Let’s get this done then. I’m capitalizing on my date immediately.”

“It’s Sunday.”

She stares blankly. I don’t give one single fuck what day it is or even what time. I’m cashing in now.

Pulling out her notebook she re-asks the question without looking up. “Why did your mother decide to leave Mexico?”

I think for a few seconds. The obvious answer is more opportunities, but I don’t want to give her a bullshit answer that she could have gotten without my help. She really should be asking my mom.

“How about we grab lunch and I can get you your answers at the same time?”

“Does this count as your date?”

I shake my head. “Nope.”

“That’s cheating. You’re trying to get two dates out of this.”

I shrug. “Nothing wrong with eating while we discuss. Besides, the place I have in mind is rich in Mexican culture.”

Her eyes light up and I know I’ve got her.

Standing, I reach for her bag and toss it over my shoulder. “Come on.”

She’s silent as we walk to the parking lot behind the library. I head straight for my car and open the passenger side door. She stops in her tracks and looks at me.

“I’m over there.” She points across the lot.

“But you don’t know where we’re going.”

No movement.

“I promise to return you to your car.”

“I have to be back by two.”

I smile in agreement and wave a hand for her to sit. Semantics. Just get in the car, woman, so I can call this date as good as on. “Whenever you want.”

Once we’re driving out of the parking lot, I finally give myself the props I deserve for commandeering this study sesh to a date. Damn, I’m good. Quick lunch with my family where she can ask her questions and then I’ll convince her to a proper date that will hopefully end with us naked.

It’s as good as done.

11

KATRINA

“Where are we going?” I go for curious, but I’m a little panicked as Joel pulls off onto a road that looks like it goes nowhere but up the mountain. This is where I die. Okay, that’s dramatic, but my palms are sweaty, and I think I’ve got a contact high from being enclosed with Joel like this.

“Lunch.”

“Are we going to hunt rattlesnakes and mountain lions?” I laugh awkwardly as I clutch my purse like a lifeline in my lap. Not sure about cell reception out here, but maybe I can get a text to go through. I have no idea who I’d call in my hour of need. That’s a shitty realization.