His smirk turns into a full-blown panty-melting smile.

“What’d we get?” he asks, referencing the product for our project.

“A pen.” I dig out the paper with the information and hand it to him, but I’m saved from any more of his charm when Professor Sanchez starts in on today’s lecture.

For fifty long minutes, I do my best to take notes and absorb the material, which is a feat of Olympic proportions with Nathan beside me. He makes me feel so… aware. Aware of him and of my body reacting to him. This is ridiculous. Hot guys don’t usually turn me into a distracted mess, but there’s just something about him.

When Professor Sanchez dismisses us, I shoot up from my seat, ready to flee. Nathan slides his leg out in front of him before standing, blocking my exit path.

“You got plans tonight?”

I don’t, of course. “Yeah, sorry.”

He doesn’t look like he believes me. “We’re having a party tonight.”

Sydney and Emily slide up behind me. We’re in their way, but they look less interested in leaving than they do eavesdropping.

“Text me, you have my number.” He steps into the aisle and then looks back. “Hope to see you later.”

His long legs carry him out of the auditorium quickly, and I stand stupidly frozen in place until he’s gone.

“I still can’t believe you’re dating him,” Sydney says. “He’s so hot.”

Emily pushes in front of Sydney so she’s walking beside me as we climb the stairs. “You’re going tonight, right?”

“Actually, I’m pretty tired. I think I’m going to stay in.”

“What?! No way,” Emily says loudly and then lowers her voice. “We have to go.”

“We?” I don’t even try to hide the humor in my tone. Emily’s never been mean to me like Bri, but this is the most she’s spoken to me directly. Still, I think we could be friends if it weren’t for the weird situation we’re in, so I don’t call her out for trying to use me to go to my fake boyfriend’s party.

“I think this could be good for all of us. Bri would never admit it, but she’s dying to go. She’s shyer than you’d think when it comes to socializing with people outside the team,” Sydney says as we push out of the building.

Emily nods her agreement.

“So, I just invite her to the party and all will be forgiven?”

She snorts. “God, no. First, we convince her to go, then we have to show her how awesome you are, then maybe she’ll ease up.”

“That sounds simple enough.” I roll my eyes.