Chapter 10 A Deal With A Kiss

7 years Ago

Layla strolled through campus with a purpose, gripping the two tickets in her hand like they were her golden pass to something more. She had spent the entire morning tracking Roman down, asking around until a few students pointed her in the right direction-one of the science labs.

It made sense.

Of course, he'd be buried in some experiment, lost in his own world.

When she reached the door, she hesitated for a second, watching him through the glass. He was bent over a table, focused on a set of beakers, scribbling something in a notebook, oblivious to the world around him.

A soft smile crept onto her lips.

There was something about the way he worked-so serious, so immersed-that made her chest tighten.

"What the hell am I doing?" she thought. "Am I... actually falling for him?"

Shaking off the thought, she stepped inside.

"Hey," she called out.

Roman looked up, his brows lifting before his lips curled into a smile. "Hey," he greeted. "How'd you find me?"

Layla smirked, walking closer. "A little birdie told me you'd be here."

He chuckled, and she found herself liking the sound a little too much.

"What brings you here?" he asked, setting down his pen.

She pulled out the two tickets and held them up.

The reaction was instant.

Roman's eyes widened, and before she could blink, he was out of his chair, rushing toward her like a child who had just spotted a jar of cookies.

"You got them?" he gasped, grabbing the ticket from her hand to inspect it.

Layla grinned. "Yeah. A friend's parents work at a theater, so I got them for free."

Roman exhaled, shaking his head in disbelief. "I've been trying to buy these online for a whole month!"

"Well," she tilted her head, "I was thinking we could go together."

Roman froze, his excitement momentarily replaced with uncertainty. "Are you serious?"

Layla nodded.

A wide, genuine smile stretched across his face, the kind that made her chest flutter. Before she could process it, he pulled her into a hug.

She stiffened at first.

But oddly... she liked it.

Really liked it.

Slowly, she let herself melt into his arms, feeling the warmth of his body against hers.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," he murmured, still holding her.

Layla pulled back slightly, staring up at him. "On one condition."

Roman blinked, his smile faltering slightly. "Anything."

"You tutor me for calculus."

And just like that, the excitement drained from his face.

Layla frowned. "What? You were just happy a second ago."

Roman exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I can't do that."

She narrowed her eyes. "Why not?"

"I just can't."

"That's not an answer, Roman."

He hesitated, then sighed. "Because... my friend likes you. And it'd be weird if I tutored you. I don't want to betray him."

Layla blinked, then burst out laughing.

Roman scowled. "It's not funny."

"No, it is funny," she said between laughs. "That's the reason you didn't want to tutor me? That's so lame."

"It's not lame. I don't want to mess up my friendship."

Layla rolled her eyes. "I'll let him know it's strictly tutoring. Nothing more."

Roman studied her for a moment, then exhaled. "I'll think about it."

Layla smirked. "Fine, then I'll just take my tickets back."

"Okay, fine!" He sighed. "I'll do it. But it has to be a secret."

She tilted her head, stepping closer. "A secret, huh?" Her voice dropped into a playful whisper. "I love secrets. A lot."

Before he could react, she reached out, tilted his chin up, and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.

Roman went rigid.

Layla handed him one ticket, then stepped back, her eyes gleaming. "I'll see you tonight."

Then, with a wink, she turned and walked away, leaving him standing there, frozen, his fingers slowly coming up to touch his cheek.

He didn't move for a long time.

But when he did, he smiled.