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Sonder shrugged, holding open the campus coffee shop door for her. “Maybe. I think it helped them decompress together—remember they aren’t alone. That was my aim in agreeing to the thing in the first place, anyway.”

All the natural light flooding in through the windows made the weather feel less dreary.

“I think we’ve had you pegged all wrong, Dr Frankenstein.”

Sonder laughed, full and real. It was so sonorous and infectious that every female in the café looked in their direction, and Atta couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. “Let’s not let that get out.” His gaze met hers, a smirk playing at one side of his mouth. “I like being spooky.”

“You’re a regular Fox Mulder.”

“A what?”

Atta laughed. “It’s a new American show on the telly my roommates watch. I take it you’re not one for much television, either.”

“No, not really.” He unwound his scarf and tucked it in the crook of his elbow. “I doenjoyfilms, I just don’t have much available time for them. Television programs, on the other hand, don’t much interest me.”

They reached the counter and the pretty girl behind it smiled dreamily at Sonder. “I’ll have black tea and whatever the lady here will have. Put it on my tab.”

“Certainly, Professor.” The barista eyed him with barely concealed lust, but Sonder didn’t seem to notice.

Atta ordered a dark roast with a dash of cream and a sprinkle of brown sugar, feeling Sonder’s eyes on her the entire time. He’d found a little secluded table in the corner and was indeed watching her when she turned around. She suddenly hated that she was in crumpled trousers and a stained hoodie. When was the last time she washed her hair? Oh god, or brushed her teeth?

She sat across from him, self-conscious. A moment later, the barista brought over his steaming tea and bent over way too far to pop the lid on the cup. Atta snorted at the young woman’s blatant display of her cleavage. But Sonder didn’t notice, he was looking at Atta.

“What’s so funny, hm?” he asked as he pulled off his jacket when the girl walked away frustrated that he hadn’t paid attention to her.

“You didn’t notice all the women in here looking at you?”

Confused, his attention swept across the café. “No, I hadn’t. I thought you said everyone was scared of me.” He took a sip of his tea.

“They are, but that doesn’t mean people don’t also think you’re—and this is a direct student quote—‘fuckable in the most scholarly way.’”

Sonder choked on his tea. Atta laughed and he straightened his tie, clearing his throat. “Well then.”

The girl brought Atta’s drink and fair slammed it down in front of her. Atta bit back another laugh, as did Sonder, but colour was visible high on his cheeks above his scruff.

“Aw, he’s flustered,” she teased.

“Not by her,” he muttered, fiddling with the lid of his tea. “I hate takeaway cups,” he changed the subject and cursed, removing the black plastic lid from the paper and polymer cup.

Atta saw her opportunity and pounced. “Why can’t I show that essay to Achilles House?” she said without preamble.

“Jesus, you’re terrible at segues. How do you even know aboutAchilles House, hm?”

Atta’s face heated at her misstep, but his eyes were glittering as he watched her like a wolf tracks a trapped hare.

She settled on not answering. “I worked hard on that, Sonder. It’s the height of my academic achievement”—she moved her hands erratically as she spoke—“something I’ve worked six years on.”

“That’s clear. It was thoroughly researched and profound.” He sniffed the tea sans lid.

“Then—” She broke off and shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

“My point is, not everyone in academia is like you, Atta. It’s a very political world and you’re orbiting too close to the sun here.”

“I’m not naïve enough to have missed that,” she snapped, “but?—”

“Go on.” He sipped at his tea, watching her over the rim of his cup. “Actually, I can’t do this.” Sonder sat up straight and began looking around. “I need this in a real cup. It’s part of the reason I come here, they serve drinks inrealcups.”

Atta suppressed a chuckle, some of her frustration dispelling. “You’re dreadfully neurotic.”