MORE THAN JUST PARTNERS

Six Years Earlier

I stared at my phone for almost a full minute.

Hope you got home safely.

— Abe

How he got my number wasn't even the most annoying part.

It was the fact that he'd actually texted me.

I sighed before typing.

How did you get my number?

Three dots appeared almost immediately.

Class representative.

I frowned.

You asked for my number?

His reply came seconds later.

No.

I asked for my project partner's number.

Turns out that's you.

I rolled my eyes despite the smile tugging at my lips.

That's still creepy.

His response was instant.

A little.

I laughed quietly.

Before I could reply again, another message came through.

Tomorrow.

Same study room.

Don't be late.

I shook my head.

You're obsessed with punctuality.

I'm obsessed with passing this course.

For the first time...

I didn't find him annoying.

Just...

Different.

The following afternoon, the library was unusually crowded.

Every study room had been booked.

Every table was occupied.

Except one.

Abe waved from the far corner.

"I saved you a seat."

"You make it sound like we're on a date."

He nearly choked on his coffee.

"I was going to say study session."

"Good."

"Because that's what this is."

He smirked.

"Right."

I sat opposite him.

"You keep smiling like that."

"Like what?"

"Like you know something I don't."

"I do."

"Oh?"

"You smiled at my text."

I blinked.

"I did not."

"You definitely did."

"You can't prove that."

"I don't have to."

His grin widened.

"I can just tell."

I opened my notebook.

"We're here to work."

"We are."

"So work."

"Yes, ma'am."

Hours passed quicker than either of us expected.

The arguments hadn't disappeared.

If anything...

They'd become fun.

"You can't seriously think billboard advertising is still effective."

"It depends on the location."

"It depends on wasting money."

"You have no vision."

"You have too much."

We stared at each other.

Then burst into laughter.

A nearby student glared at us.

We immediately lowered our voices.

"I'm blaming you if we get kicked out."

Abe whispered.

"I wasn't the one laughing."

"You started it."

"You smiled first."

"I smile all the time."

"No."

He tilted his head.

"You don't."

His tone wasn't teasing anymore.

"It suits you."

The compliment caught me off guard.

I quickly looked down at my notes.

"Focus."

"I am."

"No."

I refused to meet his eyes.

"You're distracted."

"So are you."

My heart skipped.

Was I?

By the time we packed up, it was almost eight in the evening.

The campus looked completely different after sunset.

Streetlights illuminated the pathways.

Students hurried toward dormitories.

Some toward late-night lectures.

Others toward parties.

A cool breeze drifted through the trees.

"You parked?"

Abe asked.

"I don't have a car."

"You walk home?"

"My apartment isn't far."

"I'll walk with you."

"You don't have to."

"I know."

He shrugged.

"I want to."

For reasons I couldn't explain...

I didn't argue.

The walk was surprisingly quiet.

Comfortable.

For the first time since we'd met...

Neither of us felt the need to win every conversation.

"So..."

Abe broke the silence.

"Why business?"

I looked ahead.

"My dad."

He waited.

"He always wanted to start a company."

"What happened?"

"He got sick."

My voice softened.

"He never got the chance."

"I'm sorry."

"So..."

I smiled faintly.

"I figured I'd build the future he never got to see."

He was quiet for a moment.

"That's a good reason."

"What about you?"

He looked up at the night sky.

"I don't ever want money to decide whether my family eats."

The honesty surprised me.

"My parents worked multiple jobs."

He chuckled softly.

"I watched them struggle my whole childhood."

"So your dream is..."

"Freedom."

His answer came instantly.

"I want to build something."

"Something that lasts."

I nodded slowly.

"I think..."

He looked at me.

"...we're more alike than we thought."

I smiled.

"Maybe."

We reached my apartment building.

"This is me."

He looked up at the building.

"Nice place."

"It's small."

"It's home."

I smiled.

"It is."

For a few seconds...

Neither of us moved.

Neither of us seemed ready to end the conversation.

Finally...

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow."

I turned toward the entrance.

"Diane?"

I looked back.

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad Professor Hayes paired us together."

The words surprised me.

"They're growing on me too."

He laughed.

"I didn't say that."

"I know."

I grinned.

"But you meant it."

He shook his head.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Abe."

The next morning...

I arrived on campus carrying two coffees.

I frowned.

Why had I bought two?

I spotted Abe already waiting outside the study room.

Without thinking...

I handed him one.

He looked at the cup.

Then at me.

"I thought you didn't like me."

"I don't."

"So this isn't for me?"

I smiled.

"Don't make me change my mind."

He accepted it with a quiet laugh.

"Thank you."

As we walked toward the study room together, two girls from our marketing class passed by.

One nudged the other before smiling at us.

"There they are."

Her friend laughed.

"I told you."

"They're definitely together now."

I opened my mouth to correct them.

So did Abe.

But neither of us spoke.

Instead...

We simply looked at each other.

For one strange, confusing moment...

Correcting them didn't seem nearly as important as it should have.

And neither of us noticed Professor Hayes watching the exchange from the end of the hallway, smiling to himself as he quietly murmured,

"I knew it wouldn't take long."