His Accidental Catch

Chapter 17: The Library Encounter

The heavy oak doors of the university library offered a familiar, comforting sanctuary from the bustling campus activity outside. Rows upon rows of towering bookshelves stretched into the distance, smelling faintly of old paper, polished wood, and concentrated silence.

Maya settled into her usual corner table near the back window, pulling out her laptop, highlighters, and a massive stack of reference books. She tried to focus on her research paper outline, but her eyes kept drifting toward the entrance, wondering if a certain frustratingly charming physics major would make an appearance.

Just as she was convincing herself that he had a full morning of classes across campus, a shadow fell across her desk.

"You know, staring at a blank document won't make the words type themselves, scholar," a low, amused voice murmured from above.

Maya looked up to find Leo leaning against the edge of her table, looking effortlessly put-together in a dark sweater that brought out the color of his eyes. He held two cups of iced coffee, setting one down right beside her stack of textbooks before pulling out the chair opposite her and sitting down without waiting for an invitation.

"I was thinking, Sterling, which is a process that requires actual mental effort," Maya retorted, though she couldn't hide the pleased smile breaking across her face. She reached for the iced coffee, wrapping her fingers around the cool cup. "What are you even doing over here? Don't you have a lab or something?"

Leo rested his chin on his hand, his dark gaze locking onto hers with an intensity that made the surrounding quiet library feel entirely empty. "I did. But I figured helping you avoid academic burnout was a much higher priority."

Maya felt her cheeks warm, her heart doing a familiar, happy flip. For a girl who had spent her entire college career strictly avoiding distractions, she was realizing that some distractions were far too good to give up.

By Jane

#Vote#