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The doorbell rings just as I reach the bottom step of the staircase. I quickly brush my flyaways down and glance at my reflection in the hallway mirror. I was clad in a pair of baggy sweats that hung comfortably off my hips and a loose sweatshirt that belonged to Marc. The sweatshirt, soft and slightly oversized, had a cozy, lived-in look and smelled faintly of him. My hair was cascading down my back in loose curls, still slightly damp from a quick shower. The curls had a soft, tousled texture that gave me a relaxed, effortless vibe. With a final glance and a quick adjustment, I head to the door, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation.
When I open the door, Marc is standing there, looking effortlessly charming as ever. He's holding a bag from Cuts, and his smile makes my heart flutter. "Hey, gorgeous," he says with a twinkle in his eyes. "Here's your steak and potatoes, just as promised." He pauses, his gaze drifting over my baggy sweatshirt with a teasing grin. "That sweatshirt looks oddly familiar. Did I leave it here or did you steal it like the little clothes thief you are, hm ?"
His casual, playful smirk makes my cheeks warm, and I couldn't help but smile back.
I take the bag from him, feeling his warm fingers brush mine, sending a shiver up my arm. "Thank you for the food, Marc" I say, beaming up at him. "And I stole it."
Marc follows me inside, his gaze lingering on me with a mix of affection and amusement as I lead the way to my cave.. He looks around my desk at the mess of highlighters, textbooks, and scattered notes. "Wow, this is quite the setup. It looks like you've been working hard."
"Trying to, at least," I say with a playful roll of my eyes. "But I think I need a little more than just caffeine to get through this."
Marc chuckles and begins unpacking the food on my desk. The aroma of sizzling steak and savory sides filled the room, making my stomach growl in anticipation. "Well, I'm here to provide that little extra something. And, maybe, just a bit of distraction too."
I laugh as I eagerly grab a fork and take a bite of the steak. "Mmm, this is incredible. You really know how to make a girl feel special."
Marc grins, clearly pleased with himself. "I'm glad you like it. Now, let's get down to business. Show me where the chemistry is giving you trouble."
I pull out my notes and show him a section on chemical reactions and equilibrium. "This part is killing me. I can't seem to remember all the formulas and concepts."
Marc leans over my shoulder, his warmth radiating close to me. I could feel the faintest brush of his breath against my skin as he speaks. "Alright, let's break this down. Picture chemical reactions like a volleyball game. The molecules are the players, and equilibrium is when the game is balanced, with the ball staying in play between the teams."
I look up at him, my gaze catching on his lips before meeting his eyes. "So, equilibrium is like when the game is perfectly tied, and neither team is pulling too far ahead?"
