Las Encinas’ courtyard buzzed like always — designer sunglasses, iced coffees, people talking louder than necessary just to be heard. You sat on the stone bench with someone from your class, harmless guy, a little too eager, smiling like he was trying to impress you.

Whatever. You were just talking about notes.

Then a shadow fell over the table.

Cruz.

Hands in his pockets, posture relaxed — too relaxed. The kind of calm someone puts on when they’re one wrong word away from being petty. His jaw worked once, barely noticeable unless you were looking.

And yeah… he was absolutely looking at the guy. Not you. Not even pretending not to.

“Hey,” he said, voice smooth but tight at the edges. “Didn’t know we were holding study sessions now.”

The guy awkwardly coughed, mumbled something about needing water, and left like the courtyard was suddenly too small to breathe in. Cruz watched him walk away, then finally turned to you.

Totally casual. Totally not jealous. Totally failing at pretending.