Chapter 2

I couldn't wait to see the look on Josh's face when he finally realized that everything he was so proud of was just a joke in front of his roommate.

That reaction was going to be priceless.

The first step of my plan was to stage a chance encounter.

According to my intel, Devin spent most of his free time either at the campus gym or the library.

I picked the library.

After all, showing up in a tank top for a "chance encounter" would make my intentions way too obvious.

I changed into a simple white dress, let my hair fall over my shoulders, and walked into the library with a copy of "Principles of Economics" in my arms.

The library was quiet, filled only with the gentle sound of pages turning and the occasional click of a keyboard.

I spotted Devin right away.

He was sitting by the window. The afternoon sunlight poured through the massive floor-to-ceiling glass, bathing him in gold.

He wasn't reading. Instead, he had his headphones on, leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed, seemingly napping.

His long lashes cast delicate shadows beneath his eyelids, radiating a lazy tranquility, as if nothing in the world could disturb him.

I took a deep breath and headed his way.

When I was a few steps away, an accident happened.

A student carrying a stack of books hurried by, not watching where he was going, and bumped right into my shoulder.

I let out a startled cry.

Caught off guard, I lost my balance and fell back, my books scattering all over the floor.

Damn, this chance encounter was about to turn into a full-on cringe moment.

As I was about to make contact with the cold floor, a strong hand suddenly caught me from behind, holding me up by the waist.

His warm palm pressed against my skin through the thin fabric of my dress, and a subtle, fresh soap scent instantly wrapped around me.

I instinctively turned my head and found myself staring into a pair of dark, mesmerizing eyes.

It was Devin.

He must've woken up at some point, and taken off his headphones. He had one hand still supporting me by the waist while the other steadying against the bookshelf.

His brows were slightly furrowed as he looked at me, his voice low and cool. "Are you okay?"

With his face so close to mine, my heart skipped a beat.

He was a million times better looking in person than in any photo.

A strange voice suddenly flooded my mind. 'Huh? Her voice... Isn't she the girl who just got dumped?

'She's actually pretty cute. Her eyes looks like a young fawn's. Her waist is so slim, I could easily fit one hand around it.

'And she smells so good. Is is powder?'

The voice sounded like Devin's, only way more lively.

I stood there, stunned.

What was happening? Was I hearing things?

Devin saw me staring blankly at him, not saying a word, and his frown deepened. "Did you hit your head or something?"

'Why isn't she saying anything? Did I freak her out?' Devin thought. 'Damn that guy who can't watch where he's going. What if he'd hurt my girl?

'Wait, she's not my girl yet. But she will be. Soon.'

I was speechless.

I blinked hard, making sure I wasn't imagining things.

The voice was really coming from inside my head.

Were they Devin's thoughts?

I looked at his cold, stone-faced expression, then compared it to the playful, cheeky commentary bouncing around in my mind. It was so surreal, I almost couldn't believe it.

Was this some kind of new cheat code or what?

I steadied myself against the bookshelf and gave him a small smile. "Thanks, I'm okay."

Devin let go of me and nodded, then bent down and silently began gathering the books scattered across the floor.

'Her hands are so smooth, and her fingers are really long,' Devin thought. 'She smiled at me. Does she have a thing for me?

'She must have.

'How do I not seem like a weirdo right now.

'Chill, Devin. You're supposed to be the cold and mysterious campus idol.'

I almost burst out laughing.

Cold and mysterious campus idol? Seriously?

With his thoughts running wild like that, there was no way he could pull off being cold and mysterious.

I took the books he handed me and thanked him again. "Really appreciate it. I'm Laura Swan, Economics major."

Devin nodded, keeping it short. "Devin Ledford."

'Laura Swan. That's such a pretty name,' Devin thought. 'Is she actually talking to me first?

'What should I say? "Your name is as really lovely"? No way, that's way too cheesy.

'Or maybe I should say, "I know you. You're Josh's ex-girlfriend"? No, that's just stupid. They just broke up.

'Guess I'll just... stay aloof and keep my mouth shut.'

So, in real life, Devin just stared at me with an icy expression, not saying a single word.

If I couldn't hear the battle raging in his head, I'd honestly think he was a mute.

I said, trying not to laugh as I pointed to the seat across from him, "Is this seat taken? Can I sit here?"

Devin shot a quick look at the empty seat, then at me, keeping it cool and brief. "Go on."

Meanwhile, he was shouting inwardly, 'Hurry up and sit. Heck, she could sit in my lap if she wanted.

'She really sat right across from me. I can totally smell her scent.

'Oh crap, how do I even breathe right now? Mouth or nose? I'm freaking out!

'Get it together, Devin. You're mature and experienced.'

I had to hold back a laugh as I took the seat across from him, pretending to read my book.

In the quiet library, I could practically hear both our heartbeats.

Mine was thumping from nerves and excitement.

His, on the other hand, was going wild, like his thoughts.

Devin's thoughts were really loud in my mind. 'She sat down. She actually sat down!

'She's so close, I can see her eyelashes fluttering.

'She's so cute. I wanna kiss her so bad.

'No, gotta hold back.'

'She looks so focused when she reads. Way more interesting to watch than those crusty old men at my family's meetings.

'Man, I wanna marry her and have her by my side every day, just so I can keep looking at her.'