“What did you just say?”
“I said it’s nice to meet you,” he repeated, but I could’ve sworn I’d heard finally the first time.
I stared at him, trying to figure out whether I’d imagined it or if he was messing with me.
“Yeah… nice to meet you too… uhm…” I searched my memory for his name again.
“Maurice,” he supplied.
I nodded quickly. “Maurice.”
An awkward silence settled between us. He wasn’t leaving. Neither was I.
“I’m heading outside. Do you want to come?” Maurice asked.
My lips parted. I glanced toward the study door, then back at him.
I was actively trying to avoid Darnell, and now his best friend wanted to befriend me.
“You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” he added.
I studied him carefully, trying to read past the easy smile and see if there was some hidden motive behin
