So Many Reasons Why (So Many Reasons 1)

“So?”

“So what?”

Cass gestured to the screen. “What do you want to know? He's hot. He is in his forties I think.” She paused. “Or maybe late thirties. He only does the one lecture a week. He works for the District Attorney’s office. And” She paused again, taking a breath. “He is an asshole.”

She was right. About the hotness. He was hot. Extremely hot, with thick, luscious dark hair that my hands just wanted to dive into, and piercing green eyes. The way he filled out his suit made my legs buckle. I scanned through his profile. He was 38. Married? Damn. My heart fell.

“I think I heard he was separated from his wife.” Cass commented, as if reading my mind. I could have kissed her. “They have a kid I think. Pretty young. A girl.” Cass looked at me strangely. “So he is helping you? He was pretty tough in class. He didn't really offer much in the way of extra assistance. I think he had a group tutoring session once a week, and that was it.” I nodded, and shut my laptop, positive my face was bright red.

“I was just curious. He mentioned working on a case and I wondered exactly what he did.” I shrugged. “I said I was sick, I think he felt sorry for me and sent through some notes.”

Cass wasn't buying. She eyed me for what felt like forever. Finally, she nodded. She knew something was up, but she left it at that.

She dragged me over to the couch. My mind kept wandering away from the movie. Who needed The Notebook when my own love story was developing? I wanted to groan and tease the part of me that thought this was a good idea.

Damn you, frisky Emma.

When I was sure Cass was too caught up in the movie to care about me anymore, I quietly pulled out my phone.

Hi Simon,

I might take you up on the friend thing. You're right, I don't get to expand my circle too much at the moment. I'm watching some girly movies right now with some friends. And Carol of course. She loves The Notebook. By the way, I googled you.

Emma

I simultaneously pressed send and regretted adding the last line. What the hell? Who says that? I googled you? I wouldn't be surprised if the police rocked up to arrest me for stalking. I was one step away from laying my lingerie out in his bed. I cringed again. I googled you? Jesus Emma, you're a fuck head.

Cass was staring at me strangely, not that I blamed her. First the random gasping, and now the loud groans? I'd be suspicious too. My phone vibrated wildly in my pocket. Shit. I smiled innocently at Cass until she turned her attention back to the movie.

Emma,

Really, you googled me? Should I be worried? Or flattered ;) What did you find out exactly? And I must admit I am curious as to why you googled me. Curious to see what I looked like hey? Should I be changing my locks?

Simon

Relief and terror flowed through me. It was all very confusing. Was he being friendly here, or flirting? Did I even know the difference? I desperately wanted to ask Cass, but I wasn't ready to admit this (whatever it was) to anyone yet. The only thing I was sure about was how glad I was that I didn't have to attend his class after this. Now that would have been weird and very awkward.

Well you have tickets on yourself, Mr Anderson. I googled you because you mentioned a case you were working on and I was curious about what you did. I didn't even think to look for a picture of you, didn't even cross my mind. Sorry to squash your ego there :)

Almost instantly I had a reply.

Now I am embarrassed. Is there an undo button on this thing?

I laughed loudly. Too loudly. This time all three girls stared at me. I might as well have jumped on the coffee table and performed a strip tease. I'm sure it would have gotten me less strange looks.

“Something funny?” Asked Cass dryly. I shook my head, and smiled. I waited until they had all returned their attention to the movie.

Simon,

Its okay, no need to be embarrassed. We all jump to conclusions at some time or another. Thanks for your help with the essay and your feedback. The notes I will go through tonight and probably email you a million questions. Feel free to tell me to stop if I get too annoying.

By the way, I lied. I did see your picture.

Emma

I felt a feeling in my stomach I don't think I had ever felt before. Good butterflies. I had no idea good butterflies existed! And here I was thinking all butterflies were evil. After hearing stories of the girl’s crushes over the years, it felt good to finally have my own, though I'm sure I wasn't alone. I was pretty sure the entire female population of the class would also be crushing on Simon.

But the girls love assholes, don't they?