Between the desks

Chapter 96

Amren's POV

As I stepped outside into the cold, sharp air, my body hummed with an electric current I could barely control. Every step I took towards my car, the tension inside me only grew stronger, more impossible to ignore. I had been around Lizzie—Professor Olsen—for months now, but today was more edgy then last time. The looks we shared during tutoring, the fleeting touches that lingered a little too long... it had all been building to this moment with her. 

I reached my car and yanked the door open, sinking into the driver's seat. My pulse was racing, heat prickling at the back of my neck. I tried to calm myself, taking deep, steadying breaths, but nothing worked. The memory of her, standing so close to me just minutes ago, flooded my mind. I couldn't stop thinking about her—the way she had looked at me like I was something more.

God, I was hot, needy... completely aroused.

It was dangerous. We both knew it. But neither of us seemed able to stop.

I grabbed my phone, staring at the blank screen for a moment, wrestling with my thoughts. We'd both danced around this for far too long. Maybe it was time to be bold. I tapped out a message before I could second-guess myself.

Me: Professor?

My finger hovered over the send button. It was risky. What if she didn't want to go? But before I could panic and delete the text, I hit send.

Almost immediately, my phone buzzed. My heart skipped a beat.

Lizzie: Yes?

I could practically feel the tension in her response, short but loaded. We'd been here before. This wasn't the first time she had responded this quickly, like she was waiting for me to make the first move. The air between us had been thick with unspoken words for weeks now. This was more than just some casual thing. We both knew it. But now, I needed to know where this was headed.

Me: Do you want to go out with me?

My heart hammered in my chest as I sent the message, the words hanging in the air like a challenge. There was no turning back now. My whole body tensed as I waited for her reply. What if she said no? But then, my phone buzzed again.

Lizzie: Like a date?

There it was. The word hung between us like a delicate thread, waiting to either be pulled tight or snap. My fingers trembled as I typed back.

Me: Something like that.

My stomach twisted with nervous excitement. This was more than just a casual fling for me. It had never been that simple. Lizzie wasn't just a professor I had a crush on. I was in deep. And I knew she was too, we had talked about it weeks ago. When I was in the hospital. When we had shared that kiss on my balcony. I wanted more now. I could not wait.

Another pause. My breath caught in my throat as her next message came through.

Lizzie: I would like that. When would you like to go?

I couldn't help but smile, relief flooding through me. She wanted this as much as I did. Finally, after all the tension, all the back-and-forth, we were taking that next step.

Me: Saturday night? We can go out of the city, grab a bite somewhere. If you're in, of course.

A few moments later, she replied.

Lizzie: Can you pick me up at home? I'll send you the address.

My heart nearly stopped. Picking her up at home? This wasn't just a casual date—it was intimate. It felt more personal than I had imagined, and it only added to the thrill that was already building inside me.

Me: See you at 8, then.

Lizzie: See you Saturday, Amren.

I paused for a moment, fingers hovering over the keys before I sent my final reply.

Me: See you then, Professor.

As soon as I hit send, I could barely contain my excitement. My hands were shaking as I started the car and sped home, the thrill of what had just happened coursing through me. I didn't even care that I was driving like a maniac—I was on cloud nine.

The moment I burst through the door of my apartment, I grabbed my phone and called Lily. She had been suspicious for a while now, especially since she was also in Professor Olsen's class. She had noticed the looks Lizzie and I exchanged. Hell, she'd probably picked up on it before I did.

"Lily!" I shouted as soon as she answered, not even giving her a chance to say hello. "You are not going to believe what just happened."

"Oh my god, Amren, what?" she asked, her voice already laced with excitement. "Did you finally grow a pair and ask her out?"

I gasped. "How the hell did you know?"

She laughed. "I've seen the way you two look at each other. I was just waiting for you to admit it!"

"Well, I did it. I asked her out, and she said yes!"

There was a moment of stunned silence before Lily squealed so loudly that I had to pull the phone away from my ear.

"No freaking way! You actually did it? You asked out Professor Olsen? I thought you'd chicken out!"

I laughed, pacing back and forth across the living room. "Yeah, well, I didn't. We're going out Saturday night. I'm picking her up at her place."

"Holy crap, Amren, this is insane," she said, but her voice was full of excitement. "I mean, I had a feeling something was going on between you two, but I never thought it would actually happen."

"Neither did I," I admitted, the reality of it still sinking in. "But it's happening, Lily. A real date. No more guessing, no more games. Just us."

"I'm so happy for you!" she practically shouted. "But you better tell me everything afterward. I want details. Like, every single one."

"Oh, don't worry, you'll hear all about it," I promised, my heart still racing.

Lily let out a satisfied sigh. "I knew something was going on between you two! You're such a bad liar, by the way. Every time I asked about her, you'd turn bright red."

"Shut up," I laughed. "It's not like I could admit it to you back then!"

"Well, now you have no excuses," she teased. "Saturday night, huh? What are you going to wear?"

"I don't know! I'll figure it out," I said, grinning. "I'm just glad she said yes."

We talked for a while longer, and by the time I hung up, the excitement had settled into a quiet, buzzing anticipation. Lizzie—Professor Olsen—had said yes. And Saturday felt like an eternity away.

But I knew one thing for sure. This was more than just a date. This was the beginning of something we had both been waiting for for weeks now.