Midnight Muse

Maybe this is his way of getting me to trust him a little more.

“That doesn’t give me a lot of time to find something to wear,” I determine.

His eyes flash and I wish I could read that look.

“Is that a yes?”

“It’s not a no.”

Knox nods and that’s that. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow at seven, then.”

CHAPTER 20

QUINN

When the scent of coffee hits my nose, I’m instantly invigorated.

I thought about canceling on Reid this afternoon after my morning from hell. It had taken the fire department half an hour to arrive at the building and another ten minutes to pry the doors of the elevator open.

By then, Knox and I were no longer speaking. After agreeing to go to his exhibition with him, we chatted shortly about mundane things like the weather and how we think Slate would’ve reacted if he were in our position. That brought some laughs that I drank in greedily, my heart fluttering at the sound. Eventually, we fell into a comfortable silence, after which I spent the rest of the time reorganizing my pile of crumpled papers. I’d propped my sketchbook on my knees and made sure I was careful enough not to flash Knox any of the drawings.

When the doors screeched open, three firefighters stood staring up at us with consoling grins. Turns out, the elevator had stopped halfway between two floors and I had to nervously slide my body from the surface of the elevator to the landing below.

Even Knox looked less than pleased with that, crouching close as if he was going to jump forward and snatch me up should I slip. The firefighters helped me gain my footing before assisting Knox, questioning us and asking if we needed to be looked at by an EMT.

The man who asked me was handsome. Actually, they all were, but there was something about his deep, smooth skin, the dark braids pulled back from his face. His white teeth gleamed with the grin he gave me when he offered his help. I couldn’t help the blush that crawled up my neck. It was once the firemen had made sure that the area was safe and we parted with cheerful goodbyes, that I realized Knox had disappeared.

I should’ve gone back upstairs to my apartment, but the incident left me wired. Instead, I took a few steadying breaths, shot a cursed look at the devil elevator, and took the stairs the last two flights down to the lobby.

I already missed Drawing, but of course I was making perfect time to arrive at Art History, slipping into my seat with one minute to spare before class started. Odie’s shoulders shook as he laughed at my expense, but he quickly zoned fully into the practice test Professor Doff was walking us through.

I’ve never paid such close attention to class in my life.

“Hey,” Reid greets, his colorful eyes roving over the packed coffee house before settling on me. He’s dressed in a pair of loose, gray trousers, and instead of his usual sweater vest that makes him look like the most handsome Teaching Assistant around, he’s wearing a tight black t-shirt, his sweater hooked over his elbow. The weather is in that in-between stage of chilly mornings and warm afternoons. It’s different, seeing him in a color darker than the neutrals that makes his hair appear a ruddy, deep chestnut. The dark shirt looks painted on his skin and I’ve never noticed his musculature before, but I sure am now.

I have to work to move my gaze back up to his.

Reid’s hair is combed back from his face today with a single, unruly wave curling in front of his forehead. His freckles stand out more than usual, the afternoon light drifting in through the window accentuates the speckles.

“Hey.” I stumble over the greeting while distracted by his new wardrobe.

“Missed you this morning,” Reid says, ushering me into the line. It’s longer than I expected it to be, but with all of the pre-weekend partying that seems to go on around the university, I suppose all of the hungover students like me need their pick-me-ups to make it through the rest of the day, so they’re once again ready to drink themselves stupid tonight.

“You probably won’t believe me, but I got stuck in the elevator this morning,” I huff, shuddering at the thought of being trapped in that tiny metal container.

Reid’s jaw drops in shock and I nod, grimacing at the memory.

“Rory mentioned something about it in class. Are you okay?” He laughs and the smile I’m trying to keep tucked inside breaks free. “You made it out, obviously, but holy shit, Quinn, how are you even here right now? I would’ve gone right back to bed!”

Knox’s uncommon niceties and disappearing act had kept me from doing just that.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I tut playfully. “I couldn’t miss Art History. I have no idea what’s going on in the class and Doff sucks ass! I couldn’t tell you the difference between a Romanesque and Gothic cathedral if I’d built them myself,” I grumble, thinking about the answers I got wrong on the last test. Odie’s tutoring hadn’t gone so well, but he promised he’d help me between his own classes and demanding hockey schedule.

Reid snickers. “I’m so glad I don’t have to take that. Instead, I get to enjoy History of Architecture and Urban Design. So, if you think about it, it’s pretty much the same thing.”

“Sounds easier,” I mutter, glaring at the backpack of the person in front of me. “Plus, you’re naturally good at this stuff, Reid. I’m sure you’re killing it.”

The freckles on Reid’s face glow as his cheeks pinken with a blush. It’s cute. “I wouldn’t say all that,” he trails off bashfully, and it’s obvious that he’s being modest.