“Yes,” Callum said. “I have an appointment with Sylvia Lengrand at nine-fifteen.”
“Of course, if you’ll take a seat,” she said, gesturing to a line of simple upholstered chairs. “I’ll see if she’s ready for you.”
The girl stood, revealing a cute little pixie figure. She was wearing a short black skirt, fishnets, and combat boots that met her shins. She had a black camisole under a shredded t-shirt and piercings in every part of her body imaginable but she was obviously a sweet girl. She was just another walking example of why you should never judge a book by its cover. I can’t stand ‘cover judgers’.
She returned with a petite brunette with brown eyes.
“You must be Callum,” she said with a bright smile, shaking his hand before turning to the girl. “Thank you, Bridget.”
“No probs, Syl,” she answered. “Can I offer you two anything to drink?” She asked us before sitting down.
“I’m okay,” I said.
“Me too,” Callum offered.
“Okay, if you need anything, just ask,” she said before taking her seat again.
“And who’s this?” Sylvia Lengrand asked.
“Oh, I’m sorry, that’s so rude of me. Sylvia, meet Harper Bailey,” he said, bringing his hand to my lower back. Heat pooled into the skin where his hand rested and I wished I could glue it there, permanently. I took her hand and smiled. “Harper was accepted here and I’m trying to convince her to attend.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful! I’m glad you came, then. I’m just the person to talk you into it,” she winked, pulling my hand toward her. “Alright, this way, love birds,” she said, walking toward the back.
“Love birds?” We said in unison.
She stopped and gawked at us. “I’m so sorry. Did I assume incorrectly? You just seem so comfortable with the other. I apologize. I’m always making a fool of myself with you young folks.”
“Oh, it’s okay. I was just curious as to what gave us away,” Callum said, poking me in the ribs with his elbow.
Oh good gracious, I think I’m in like with Callum Tate. Sylvia smiled and opened her office door.
“Take a seat,” she said.
We sat side by side and Callum playfully dragged my chair closer to his, with me in it, as if I weighed nothing, his muscles bunched as he pulled and I had to fight myself to prevent a bite to his forearm. Get a hold of yourself, Harper.
“Alright, let me just gather a few files,” she said, diving into a file cabinet, her back toward us.
I stare at Callum and he sticks his tongue out at me which makes me burst out laughing. Sylvia turned around. “What?” She asked.
“Oh, I was just teasing her,” Callum admitted, but his cheeks pink, revealing an even more adorable him, as if that’s possible.
Sylvia returned to her files only to pull out a stack and sits at her desk. She stares at the stack while music pumps through a speaker above. I bit my bottom lip and sarcastically bumped my head to the cheesy ballad. Callum grinned and slid an air guitar he supposedly kept strapped to his back into his hands. Totally immersed in our pretend jam, we finally emerged when Sylvia yelled Callum’s name.
“Sorry,” we said in unison.
“That’s okay, you were obviously in your own little world but as adorable as the two of you are, I need Mister Tate to sign a few forms for me.” She slid the papers over to him. “I’ve marked all the spots you need to sign for me, Callum.” She handed him a pen and turned her body towards me. Callum smirked at me and dove in. “Now,” Sylvia said, turning slightly towards me, “did you have any questions about NYU, Harper?”
“Uh, not really. Callum dragged me here against my will. He’s actually holding me hostage.”
“I am not!” He exclaimed before realizing I was joking and rolled his eyes.
Sylvia smiled. “Listen, Harper. Obviously you have reservations about attending school here but that’s why I’m here. I can smooth out all your worries, all you have to do is talk.”
I sighed in resignation.
“Okay, just remember, you asked for it.”
“Go on,” she said. I noticed Callum’s pen stilled as he feigned interest in the top paragraph of the paper he just signed the bottom of.