When I got up in the morning, I looked over the outfit I’d planned for the day. It was definitely professional, but not the cutest thing ever. I pulled out all of my clothes for the week, took a few minutes to rearrange things, and felt satisfied that I’d made each outfit a bit cuter. I dressed and put my hair up into a high ponytail, swiped a few coats of mascara over my lashes and accessorized. I stood in front of the mirror feeling good about how I looked; I hoped Cooper would feel the same.

After checking myself over one last time, I headed out the door. I was early that day—very early. Partly because I wanted to prove I wasn’t the ‘late girl,’ but more so, I wanted a few minutes with Cooper before the others arrived. When I got to the classroom, no one was there yet, but I was more than twenty minutes early. I went inside and turned on the lights, choosing a seat closer to the front. Not in the first row, where I wanted to be, but one row back so it wasn’t so obvious I was crushing on the instructor.

Cooper entered just a few minutes later. “Ahh, glad to see you here on time today, Miss Hale,” he said in a mock stern voice.

“Well, you know, the instructor is very strict, so I had to make sure I made a good impression on the first full day.”

His mouth fell into a half smile. “I’d say you accomplished that.”

My throat went dry and I took a moment to look him over. His polo shirt was close fitting, hinting at his muscular chest. His thick biceps were visible past the edge of his sleeve—and made me wonder about the parts that weren’t visible. My face warmed and I changed my line of thinking. If I started picturing him naked now, I’d never be able to concentrate.

Other members of the group filed in moments later. For the time being, I’d been saved from my impure thoughts. But our time alone had also been cut very short. As he began teaching, we kept catching each other’s eye. I smiled freely. His smiles were more subtle and stifled. I suspected he didn’t want to be instructing with a huge grin on his face. It was fun, though, and I got a little thrill each time our eyes met.

When we broke for lunch, my heart raced in anticipation. Would he ask me to join him? Was that even okay? Should I ask him to join me? I didn’t want to come off clingy, though; I knew Hailey would yell at me for that. She was a big fan of playing hard to get.

I went on my way with the rest of the group, chatting with them as we walked, though I was vividly aware that Cooper was several people ahead of me. As we all went off to get food, the group scattered a bit. I lost sight of Cooper in line, but now that I looked for a seat, I saw him sitting a table. Alone.

When our eyes met, he gestured to the seat next to his, motioning for me to join him. I hurried over and set my plate down.

“It’s like high school lunch all over again,” he said, chuckling. “Are you sure it’s acceptable to sit with the teacher?”

“I don’t care what the others think. I don’t mind being called teacher’s pet.” I winked at him.

He opened his mouth to reply just as another classmate walked over.

“Mind if I join you?”

It was Henry, a nice guy from somewhere in the middle of the country. Not a shifter, but friendly. He’d make a great Ranger, I thought.

“Of course.” Cooper forced a smile, but when he looked at me, I could see slight disappointment behind it.

I pressed my lips together in a similar, brief, disappointed smile, then turned toward Henry and started making conversation that all three of us could participate in. By the end, I’d learned a lot more about Montana and Henry, but not Cooper. The fact that he’d been visibly disappointed, however, made up for it.

At the end of the class day, I stalled, taking my time to gather my things. My plan worked. The room cleared and it was just Cooper and me.

He walked over and perched on the edge of the desk next to mine. “I’m sorry we didn’t get to talk more at lunch. I thought maybe we could have dinner together?”

His words brought a huge grin to my face and I nodded. I didn’t trust myself to speak without saying something stupid.

“Great.” He glanced at his watch. “Meet me by the elevators at 6? Is that a good time?”

“Sure. See you then.”

I nearly skipped back to my room, then stared at my clothes, wondering if there was a decent dress shop on board.