I met him in the most predictable place possible.
The library.
I was deep into a complex statistical model when a voice interrupted my thoughts.
"You're solving it inefficiently."
I looked up slowly.
Luca.
Up close, he was even more unsettling.
Not because he was attractive—though he was—but because his eyes were… aware. Like he noticed everything and chose what to care about.
"Excuse me?" I said.
He pointed at my work. "You're overcomplicating the approach."
"I like precision." "I like results."
I leaned back, studying him. "Football player and mathematician?"
He shrugged slightly. "You'd be surprised what people hide."
Interesting answer.
"So what are you hiding?" I asked. A pause. Then a faint smile.
"If I told you," he said, "you wouldn't believe me." That wasn't flirting. That was a warning.
We started seeing each other more after that.
Not intentionally. Just… coincidence.
Library. Cafeteria. Field.
Every time, he challenged me. Mentally. Strategically.
He didn't treat me like I was "intimidating."
He met me at my level.
And somehow.... That was worse.