Chapter 21

Summer's POV

"I didn't say that!" My face felt like it was on fire.

He leaned back, clearly enjoying the moment. "I believe your reaction says enough."

I stirred my tea, refusing to meet his amused gaze. We ate in a surprisingly comfortable atmosphere. "Wall Street titans don't usually grab cheese steaks at student hangouts," I remarked.

"And yet," his voice was low and resonant, "here I am."

The chime of a phone interrupted us. It was James, informing Brandon that my gift was ready.

"Where are you headed after this?" Brandon asked as we stood up.

"Home. You don't need to trouble yourself, Mr. Stark."

"That won't be necessary. I'll take you." The finality in his tone brooked no argument. He handled the bill with an efficient authority that made my protests die in my throat.

As we stepped outside into the golden autumn sunset, Brandon paused, looking at the campus architecture. "Would you like to walk for a bit?"

I was surprised but nodded. As we walked, I asked, "How come I've never seen you before? Which year were you?"

He looked at me with a rare, soft expression. "When I was in college, you were probably still a little girl. I entered at fifteen and only spent two years here. You would have been seven or eight."

I was shocked. "You were a child prodigy?"

A shadow passed over his face at the word. "Genius is a heavy word, Miss Taylor."

I suddenly remembered rumors Grandpa used to mention—about a brilliant student who left for London and never looked back. Was it Brandon?

When we reached the parking lot, James was waiting with a sleek black car and the gift. When I saw the bill James handed me, I froze. "This... there must be some mistake. This is far too cheap for Christie's."