“Psst.”

A the sound slithers through your ear—soft, insistent—cutting straight through Professor Devera’s lecture. Your quill falters mid-sentence.

Frustrated with having your concentration interrupted, you whip your head around in annoyance, ready to glare…

You freeze instead.

Liam is leaning forward in his chair, blue eyes locked on yours filled with mischief. He has a grin tugging at his lips—easy, familiar, devastatingly beautiful. The kind that sends a traitorous flutter through your chest. The playful yet soft grin that melts all your annoyance instantly.

He doesn’t say a word, simply holding out a piece of parchment, his fingers brushing against yours gently as you take it.

You sigh, trying to look exasperated but feeling the complete opposite, you turn back to face Professor Devera, opening the parchment beneath your desk.

Two simply words stare back at you.

‘Lunch together?’