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“Caffeine might save me. When do you get off?” Taryn asked, following Charlie’s progress to the nearby shelf.

She checked her watch. “In about twenty minutes.”

“Abandoning me.”

They were becoming less formal. She enjoyed the playful back-and-forth, almost like a tennis match. “Well, some of us parcel out our schoolwork, which does this amazing thing—allows for sleep.”

“Overrated. What about tomorrow?”

“For sleep? I plan to get it then, too.” She sent a victorious smile. One point for her.

“No. For our coffee get-together extravaganza. If you’re too busy, I get it.”

“Hmm. It’s Thursday, which means a full day of classes for me. I teach as well.”

“You teach, too? What classes?”

“Creative Writing. First year composition.” While her schedule was packed, and she’d be exhausted, she couldn’t seem to pass up the opportunity for more of…whatever this was. “But I can go to the extravaganza after. Five o’clock?”

Taryn brightened, an adorable puppy all of a sudden. “Five is great. Put your number in my phone, I’ll text you, and you can tell me where to meet.”

She accepted the phone and typed her number. “I like the plan. Take care of yourself, little Taryn.”

“The second time you’ve called me that.” A pause. “Not as little anymore. Or didn’t you notice?”

They held eye contact for an extended moment. For whatever reason, the interaction sent warmth down Charlie’s spine that she didn’t hate. “I actually had,” she said quietly.

“Good. I’m gonna go grab that caffeine downstairs. See you tomorrow?”

“You will.”

Charlie stood there watching after Taryn, struck by her remarkable and unwavering eye contact that made Charlie feel as if she could see straight into her. She wasn’t sure she’d ever experienced anything like it.

She drove home with the music at an overly healthy volume, very aware that she had rebounded nicely from her uncomfortable conversation with Danny and the critique session from hell. Maybe it had been that undergrad opening the door for her with such chivalrous intention, or the steady stream of students that kept her busy shortly after. But she knew beneath it all that the reason for her improved mood were the interactions with Taryn that kept her smiling and grounded. Taryn was a little link to simpler times, and not only that, she emanated a soulful light, which Charlie found contagious. She was interested to hear more about Taryn’s life since they’d last connected, what her goals were, what kind of music she listened to now, and what brand of comedy made her laugh without fail. Maybe they’d even become actual friends. Wasn’t she just imagining making a new one of those? So, she’d chalk this night up to a win and work toward more just like it. The ground felt too unsteady lately, and Charlie could use all the anchors she could gather. Maybe Taryn Ross, her smokin’ hot new friend, had crossed her path for a very important reason. Time would certainly tell.

Chapter Four

Taryn didn’t have a lot of very specific talents, but one of them was hiding her nerves when she needed to. Whether it was speaking in front of an audience, taking an important exam, or waiting to hear her father’s medical results, she was able to harness her fear and project a calm demeanor. It didn’t mean she was calm, however. Inside was a very different story, which meant her reputation as a confident person was flattering, but wholly false. For some reason, Charlie Adler brought out an entirely different side of her. By all accounts, Charlie, who she found beautiful and amazing, should have made her more nervous than anyone, yet the opposite seemed to be true. She could only assume it was Charlie’s warm and nonthreatening personality that somehow calmed Taryn’s seas, but the effect was a welcome one.

“Well, you look incredibly relaxed and at home.”

She knew that voice well. Taryn looked up as Charlie approached her table for their coffee meetup. Here we go. She grinned and sat up straight. “Me? Just enjoying the tunes they have going here.”

“I kind of thought you’d like the place. Not sure why.”

“Well, you nailed it. I’m never leaving.”

They shared a smile before Charlie took a seat across from Taryn.

The coffee spot Charlie had suggested, the Bump and Grind, was off campus by about two blocks and maybe one of the most chill places Taryn had encountered since arriving at Hillspoint. Lots of space between tables. Tall ceilings. Calm lighting. She’d definitely be back to sample their creative list of coffee and espresso. Half their menu featured standard coffee classics, but the other side was full of riffs and fancy-free offerings they’d clearly created for the shop. A maple bacon latte? Not her normal fare, but she could congratulate them on the outside-the-box thinking. They also had their own roaster looming large and proud at the back of the dining area, signaling the shop’s absolute legitimacy. Even the song on the sound system was a bop she’d be searching out later.

Charlie laughed. “You don’t even have coffee yet, and look at you, already in your happy mode.”

“I’m in my zone.”

“It suits you,” Charlie said, using her hands to create the four sides of a frame around Taryn. “Isn’t this what you photog types do? Framing? I’d capture this shot right here and call it Carefree Coffee Connoisseur.”

“The alliteration is a fantastic touch.” Taryn grinned and sat up. “And, yes, framing is key to composition. It offers your subject power or takes it away. I’m learning a lot.”