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Crimson instantly coats my cheeks.
Did he…
Did he really just say that?!
Out loud?!
Isn’t that something you think but don’t say?!
Or maybe something you say in like…a text?
Why didn’t he just text me that?
Why did he have to show up in person where he can see what the words do to me firsthand?
Ohmygod!
He’s here in person!
Seeing me in my…my…
Horror hops onto my face as I scramble to shut my multicolored terry cloth robe. “What are you doing here?!” I don’t leave time for him to answer. “How do you even know where here is?!” Patting down untamed strands of hair with my free hand frantically occurs. “How did you get this information?!” My fingers rush to push up my glasses. “This is not how you schedule a private tutoring session! You can do that online!”
“Mow,” Noodle firmly agrees.
“And that…” he playfully kicks his chin in our direction, “is something you don’t see every day.”
An adjustment in my arms is made to my furry roommate and best friend. “His name is Noodle.”
“No,” airily precedes him chuckling, “a noodle is what that mountain lion probably hates eating.”
“Don’t make him self-conscious about his weight!”
“He can probably bench press my bike.”
“Mow.”
“Nah,” he warmly brushes off, “that’s not why I’m here.”
“Why are you here?!” escapes in a high-pitched tone once more. “And how?! Definitely how! I wanna know how!” Yet again, I don’t leave space for an actual answer. “And why! Um…Don’t forget why! And probably what. Yes.” My head rapidly nods. “Definitely what. Uh…That’s important too! And-”
“The five Ws, Teach,” Hogan lightly laughs, seemingly relaxing my shoulders. “Guessin’ you don’t ever shut that side of yourself off.”
“Um…”
Guilt glistens in my gaze prompting Noodle to dramatically slap his paw on my chest to answer on my behalf, “Mow.”
“Excuse you,” I seriously scold. “Whose side are you on?!”
“Mine,” retorts the visitor, open mouth grin lingering. “Clearly.”
More squeaks seep free resulting in additional sniggers.
Gah.
What is it about him that does this to me?
Or am I just this bad when it comes to flirting in general?
