Page 35 of Dream a Little Dream

Kenny sipped from his coffee. “Does it still feel good?”

“Yep.”

“Cling onto it. It’ll fade and you might feel the need to do it again.”

“Only if I’m provoked.”

“What provokes you?”

Aaron cocked his head, eyes narrowing. “How was yourdate?”

Kenny didn’t move. Not a flinch. As if he’d expected it. “As well as first dates go.”

Aaron sucked in his bottom lip, refusing to look away from him. Kenny challenged him right back. God, he was hot.

“Why are you here?” Kenny asked.

“Because you told me to come with you to get a hot cup of shit.” Aaron flicked Kenny’s coffee cup with his fingers.

“Why are you at this university? Inmyclass?”

Aaron sniffed, leaning away to attempt more nonchalance when inside he raged and boiled and seethed. “There aren’t many places offering the bursary packages for poor little care kids like me. Three six five accommodation? A welcome pack? A grand in my pocket? Thankyouvery much.” He lifted his tea in a toast. “You’re working your corporate responsibility thing well.”

“We call it widening participation. Corporate responsibility is allowing staff time off to volunteer, or giving donations to charity, getting students to collect rubbish in the parks.”

“Then thank you forwideningmy participation.”

“Why Forensic Psychology?”

“It is my dream to help shape how the police, courts, prisons and probation services understand and react to victims, witnesses and offenders.”

“Hello Google.”

Aaron winked.

“You said in your personal statement you were interested in the rehabilitation of offenders?”

“Did I?”

“What makes you interested in offenders in particular? Not victims or witnesses?”

Aaron shrugged. “Offenders fascinate me.”

“Why?”

“You’re not writing any of this down.”

“This isn’t an interview. Or a therapy session.”

“What is it then?”

“Me deciding if you’re worth my time.”

“And so far?”

“So far, you’ve given me fuck all.”

“I wouldn’t say that.” Aaron widened his legs under the table to bash his knee against Kenny’s with a suggestive smirk. “I’ve given yousomething.”

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