Chapter 4
“I’m sure you say that to all the girls.” I rolled my eyes and offered Trent a wide smile. “And yes, I know I’m intelligent, but this computer is broken.”
“It’s not broken.” He laughed softly and revealed a menu in the top right corner of the page. “It’s hard to spot. So from here, we’re going to go through the tools.” He tilted his head to the side to look at me. We were still so close that it was hard not to notice it. “Say it with me now, I will not delete anything without Trent’s permission.”
“Right, I remember.” I shifted in my chair. I’d caused quite a disaster on the site once before by going on a clicking spree.
“No, say it.” He looked into my eyes as his own sparkled. “I will not delete anything without Trent’s permission.”
“I’m not saying that.” I pursed my lips.
“Mm.” He stared at me, his lips slightly parted and his eyes narrowed a bit. A crackle of electricity whipped through me. “I didn’t think you would. But you can’t blame me for trying.”
“I can, actually.” I laughed.
We nestled our heads close together as he showed me how to manipulate some of the images and content on the page.
“Of course, if you need help, you can always call me. But this way you have a bit more of that independence you love so much.” He flipped the site back to the original screen. “Now you do it.”
“Oh, it’s okay, I get it now.” I smiled.
“Go on, just show me, so I know that I’ve succeeded as a teacher.”
“Alright.”
I sighed and tried to find the menu again. I knew it was in the top right corner, but there were a lot of other things there as well. I couldn’t remember which symbol represented the menu. I clicked on a few different things. But none of them were correct. I could feel his eyes on me as I continued to fail. I could feel my cheeks burning with embarrassment.
“It’s right over—”
“I know!” I barked so loud that a few nearby customers turned to look, which only made me more annoyed.
Trent sat back for a moment while I fiddled with a few more options. Then he took my hand. Just like in my dream, a cloud of electricity billowed through me. I was so stunned that I couldn’t react. Instead of drawing it to his lips to kiss it—like in my dream—he guided it along the mouse pad.
“Here.” He slid his finger along mine until he reached my perfectly manicured nail. Then he lightly pressed it to make the selection. “See?” He smiled as he turned his head toward me.
With our faces only inches apart, I couldn’t help but notice just how bright his eyes were. A second later, I snapped back to reality and realized I had yet to stop staring at him.
“I see.” I drew my hand back from his. “I’ll try to remember.”
“It’s okay if you forget.” He shrugged. “It just means we get to spend more time together.” He returned to his own chair.
“You are such a flirt.” I rolled my eyes. “How does your girlfriend feel about that?”
“Girlfriend?” He laughed, then shook his head. “No danger of that happening.”
“No?” I studied him with a small smile. “You don’t like to be tied down?”
For the first time since I’d met him, I noticed a hint of blush in his cheeks. I thought for a second that it might be my imagination, so I decided to test it out.
“Trent, the tech superhero, has to keep his options open to all the girls he rescues from computer nightmares?”
The blush in his cheeks spread. I was definitely on to something.
“Hey, we can’t all be Zoe—gorgeous and ready to take on the world—can we?” He kept his gaze on his computer. “And no, I’m not interested in playing the field. I’m a one-woman kind of guy.” He laughed as he looked up at me. “Well, at the moment, I’m a no-woman kind of guy.”
“I can help you with that, you know. I have lots of friends.” I bit into my lip as I considered who I could set him up with. If I could get him paired off, then I was certain these weird feelings would disappear.
“Friends?” He cleared his throat. “Hm, I’m not much for blind dates, sorry. I like to let things happen naturally.”
“Naturally?” I raised an eyebrow.
“You know, let fate steer us together.” He held my gaze for a long moment. “You’re not particularly looking and then one day—bam—you meet and it’s epic.”
“Epic?” I laughed. “I didn’t peg you for a romantic, Trent. You’re so logical.”
“Maybe you just haven’t gotten to know me well enough.” He closed his computer as he studied me. “I’m a man of many sides.”
“I’m sure.” I grinned. “But you know, you can’t always just wait for things to happen. Sometimes you have to make them happen. When I see a guy I like, I just grab—”
“Wait a minute!” His eyes widened.
“—his attention.” I laughed and clapped my hands. “What did you think I was going to say?”
“Never mind.” The pink returned in his cheeks. Unfortunately it only made him more attractive in that moment. “So what guy has your attention right now?”
“None this week. Slim pickings, I’m afraid. But I’m sure by the weekend something will come up. You just have to get out there and meet people, that’s all.”
“That’s all, huh?” He slid his computer into its case. “I meet people. I met you, didn’t I?”
“Sure, but that’s because of work. You need to go out dancing or at least to the bar. Get out there and dip your toes in the water.”
“My toes have no interest in clubs or bars, sorry.” He stood up from the table. “I think I’ll give fate a chance.” He rested his hand on my shoulder as he leaned close. “Now before I go, say it with me—I won’t delete anything without Trent’s permission.”
“Nice try.” I patted his hand as I tried to ignore the heat that swirled through me. “I don’t ask anyone’s permission.”
“I know.” He smiled, held my eyes for a moment, then walked out of the cafe.