UNWILLING PARTNERS

Six Years Earlier

I arrived at the business faculty study room five minutes early.

Not because Abe had told me not to be late.

Because I refused to give him the satisfaction of saying he was right.

The room was empty.

Good.

I placed my notebook on the table, opened my laptop and began reading through the project brief.

The topic wasn't simple.

Developing a Marketing Strategy for an Emerging Tech Startup.

Forty percent of our final grade.

Professor Hayes hadn't been exaggerating.

This project could make—or break—our semester.

The door creaked open.

"You're early."

I didn't bother looking up.

"I'm on time."

A chair scraped across the floor as Abe sat opposite me.

"So am I."

I finally raised my head.

He wasn't carrying coffee.

Or breakfast.

Just a laptop and a notebook.

For some reason...

I had expected someone as cocky as him to stroll in ten minutes late with sunglasses on.

"You seem disappointed."

"What?"

"You looked at me like I ruined your expectations."

"I was just wondering if you ever smile without trying to annoy someone."

He leaned back in his chair.

"Only on weekends."

I rolled my eyes.

"This project is going to be painful."

"I think it'll be fun."

"That's because you're the pain."

He laughed.

A genuine laugh.

"I like your sense of humor."

"I wasn't joking."

"I know."

He smiled.

"That's what makes it funny."

I sighed.

"Can we actually start?"

He nodded.

"Finally."

For the next hour...

We worked.

Or at least...

We tried.

Every idea became a debate.

"What if we target university students?"

"They don't have enough disposable income."

"What about young professionals?"

"Too broad."

"We could focus on social media."

"Everyone focuses on social media."

"So what's your brilliant idea?"

"You'll hear it when you stop interrupting."

"I wasn't interrupting."

"You literally interrupted to say you weren't interrupting."

He blinked.

"...Fair point."

I couldn't help it.

A tiny smile escaped.

"There it is."

"What?"

"You smiled."

"I did not."

"You absolutely did."

"I was being polite."

"I'll take it."

He looked far too pleased with himself.

Somehow...

That made me smile again.

---

By noon we'd accomplished far more than I expected.

Not because we agreed.

Because we challenged each other.

Every weak idea got rejected.

Every good idea became better.

Professor Hayes had been right.

We were exhausting together.

But...

We worked.

Abe stretched his arms.

"I'm starving."

"Already?"

"It's lunchtime."

I checked my watch.

He was right.

"I didn't even notice."

"That's because you've been trying to prove me wrong for three straight hours."

"I have."

"And?"

"I've enjoyed it."

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Abe raised an eyebrow.

"You enjoyed proving me wrong?"

"I enjoyed trying."

He grinned.

"So you admit you didn't succeed."

"I wasn't finished."

"You'll get another chance."

"I certainly hope so."

He stood.

"Come on."

"Where?"

"Lunch."

I frowned.

"I brought food."

"You brought a salad."

"So?"

"You deserve better."

"I like salads."

"You deserve happiness too."

I laughed.

"You're unbelievable."

"I've been told."

"I'm not going to lunch with you."

"Why not?"

"Because we're project partners."

"Exactly."

"Not friends."

He shrugged.

"Yet."

"There is no 'yet.'"

"We'll see."

I shook my head.

"You really think everyone likes you, don't you?"

"No."

He smiled.

"I just think you will."

---

As we left the study room, two students walked past us.

One of them smiled.

"You guys finally together?"

I frowned.

"What?"

The girl pointed between us.

"You've been arguing for weeks."

Her friend laughed.

"We had a bet on when you'd start dating."

Abe chuckled.

"We're not dating."

The two students exchanged a knowing look.

"If you say so."

They walked away laughing.

I stared after them in disbelief.

"What was that about?"

Abe scratched the back of his neck.

"They've probably seen us arguing after class."

"That's ridiculous."

"It is."

A small silence followed.

Then...

"I mean..."

He looked at me.

"...you are kind of cute when you're angry."

I nearly dropped my notebook.

"What?"

"I said"

"I heard you."

Heat rushed to my face.

Was he serious?

He looked completely unfazed.

"I've just never met someone who can insult me so creatively."

I folded my arms.

"Are you flirting with me?"

His grin widened.

"I'm still deciding."

I opened my mouth.

Closed it again.

For the first time since meeting Abe Carter...

I had absolutely no comeback.

He laughed.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Diane."

He turned and walked away before I could respond.

I watched him disappear across campus.

Then looked down at my phone.

A new notification appeared.

Unknown Number

«Hope you got home safely.

-Abe»

I frowned.

How on earth...

...did he get my number?