Page 18 of Fated for Flames

I felt my cheeks burn at Theo’s accurate description of what I had been before coming to the past and starting my plan to change my future. “I decided to challenge myself. Is there any problem with that?”

“No. You’re free to do that. I just don’t understand what that has to do with the fact of not talking to me. Aren’t we friends?”

“We are.”

“Shouldn’t you talk with your friends if something is bothering you?”

“Nothing is bothering me,” I assured him. “Now, I was in the middle of something.”

Theo grabbed the door before I could close it. “If nothing is bothering you and you have nothing scheduled with your other friends… maybe, w-we could hang out and watch a movie or something. What do you say?”

My old self would be thrilled with a proposal like that. “Only the two of us?”

“If you want. Or you could ask Lia to join us.”

“Lia isn’t here.”

“Good,” he mumbled as he glanced away.

He seemed relieved by Lia’s absence. In the past, she was always in the middle of activities. Even when we started dating, Lia seemed not to take the hint and often spent time with us. Yet, until Theo broke up with me, I had never thought they would betray me.

A flicker of nostalgia washed over me as I remembered our carefree days before everything changed. Maybe this was a chance to…what? Gather allies? I was still fuzzy on the master plan, but maybe, like with Lia, I could prevent Theo from turning against me like last time.

“I like your idea,” I said, offering him a genuine smile.

“Do you want to watch a movie?”

I nodded, relaxing and letting the door open more. “But not today. I have several things planned.”

Theo’s eyes lit, his transformation complete as he nodded eagerly.

Peeking inside my room, he joked, “For a moment, I thought you were hiding someone in your room.”

I snorted. “Of course not. I was eating.”

Dodging me, my friend entered my bedroom like a man on a quest. “I can’t believe you were able to snag some!”

“What do you…”

Too late, Theo had already seen what was on my bed, my last buttery croissant. Before I could react, he lunged for my beloved pastry, snagging it with a triumphant grin.

“Hey!” I protested, half-laughing, half-outraged. “That’s mine!”

But Theo was already making his escape, croissant in hand, laughter trailing behind him. “You’ll have to catch me first, Eve!”

“I’m going to get you for this, Theo!” I said as I contemplated the chase, but my legs were like Jell-O.

Things would be different this time around.

14

Evelyn

Professor Lucien’s gaze held a glimmer of concern as he regarded me, his eyebrows drawn together in a scowl. Beside him, Rafe emanated a calming presence. His ethereal beauty still surprised me.

They were so stunning it was a little intimidating.I smiled shyly.

With a slight softening of his scowl, Professor Lucien broke the silence. “Evelyn, I trust you’ve been…well since our last encounter.”

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