Liam pretended—attempted—to read his book, but his hands were shaking so badly the page kept blurring. He didn't dare look up.
Not until he heard footsteps.
Three sets of them.
Right in front of his table.
He slowly lowered his book.
Blake stood there holding a tray with iced coffee, a bagel, and a stupidly charming smile. His two friends—one tall and loud, one calm-looking—stood beside him.
"Hey," Blake said softly. "You sitting with anyone?"
Liam opened his mouth, closed it, then managed, "Uh—no. I mean—no. You can sit. If you want."
"Cool." Blake nodded, taking the chair beside him while his friends took the others.
Liam's brain short-circuited.
Of all the empty tables in the café… they had to sit here?
The first few minutes were painfully awkward. Blake's friends chatted among themselves, laughing about something someone did at the party last night, while Liam sipped his drink like it was a scientific experiment.
Then Blake gently tapped the edge of Liam's table.
"You okay today?" he asked, leaning closer so Liam could hear him over the noise.
Liam swallowed. "Yeah. I'm fine. Just… tired."
Blake's eyes softened. "Good. I'm glad you're fine. You scared me a little yesterday."
Liam blinked. "I did?"
"Yeah," Blake admitted. "You looked like you were about to faint on me."
Liam felt heat rise in his cheeks again. "Sorry…"
"Don't be," Blake said with an easy smile. "I'm just glad you're okay."
Liam looked down at his muffin to avoid melting into the floor.
A moment later, Blake's friends jumped into a loud conversation about some huge party planned for tonight—apparently even bigger than last night's welcome bash.
"Last year someone did a keg stand for twelve seconds," one of them bragged.
"And someone else jumped in the fountain," the other added.
Blake chuckled. "Yeah, it gets wild."
Then he turned to Liam again.
"Want to go tonight?"
Liam looked at him, surprised.
"Me?"
"Yeah, you," Blake laughed. "You're fun. And we didn't get much time to hang out yesterday."
Fun?
Fun??
Liam barely survived standing upright.
He cleared his throat, trying to sound casual.
"I think I'll… just stay in my room tonight. Watch a movie or something."
Blake didn't push. He just nodded, accepting the answer.
"No problem. Take your time easing into college life."
That smile again—soft, warm, and somehow understanding.
When the group finished their drinks and snacks, Blake's friends stood first, mumbling something about meeting other people outside. Blake stood last.
Then he paused.
"Hey," he said, turning back to Liam. "Before I go… can I get your number?"
Liam froze.
His heart stopped.
His soul left his body.
"M-my number?"
Blake held out his phone, screen open to the new-contact page.
"Yeah. So I can check up on you. And, you know… maybe hang out sometime. If you want."
Liam's hand shook violently as he took the phone.
He prayed Blake didn't notice—but of course Blake noticed. He smirked a little.
Liam typed his number carefully.
Pressed save.
Handed the phone back with trembling fingers.
Blake put it in his pocket.
"Well… I'll see you around, Liam." He gave a small wave. "Take it easy today."
"Bye," Liam whispered, barely able to breathe.
Blake turned and walked away with his friends, leaving Liam sitting alone at the small table, staring at his iced Americano like it just changed his entire life.
And honestly?
Maybe it did.