Page 57 of Twisted Fate

Sliding down in my seat as if my laptop could hide me, I pray to anyone who will listen that this lecture ends early.

It becomes apparent that no one is listening to me when over an hour passes before Richard announces a break before the second half of the presentation. I groan and whip out my phone to occupy myself. Now would be the time to gather my things and get the hell out of here, but if I leave, I’ll never hear the end of it from Tristan.

“He’s so young looking, so attractive—it’s unfair,” the girl beside me squeals to the girl next to her.

“Unfair? It’s inhuman. Jesus, if he was our professor, I wouldn’t miss a single lecture. In fact, I’d apply for extra credit assignments”—she pauses—“with lots of after-hours work.”

“Mmm, me too,” the first girl gushes.

The sudden urge to rip my hair out makes annoyance simmer in me. I sit lower in my seat and press my lips together so I don’t respond.

“Oh my gosh, he’s looking at me,” the one beside me whispers and slaps the other girl’s arm.

“Uh, no he’s not, babe. He’s looking ather.”

I don’t have to look up to know theherthey’re referring to is me. Keeping my head down, I stare hard at my phone screen.

Students who left for the break file back in, and the second half of the lecture gets underway. With Tristan’s focus on the lecture and addressing the room, I use the opportunity to look at him. He’s dressed how I’m used to seeing him at the office, and today it looks like he skipped shaving. It’s a look I could get behind.

He speaks passionately about how he grew his business from the ground up, starting with an idea and a goal. Admiration floods through me as I listen to the story. His eyes pause on me, and recognition flashes in them. Something tells me my emotions are on display. He smiles at me as if we’re sharing a moment, as if we’re the only two people in the lecture hall, and then his gaze shifts across the room as he continues to speak.

My phone vibrates, and I glance down at the screen. I have a new message from my mom, giving me an update on Adam’s chemo treatment. She says, “So far so good.” Adam is taking it like a champ, which I knew he would. Still, an ache blossoms in my chest. I wish I were there with him through this. My parents are doing the best they can while still working full-time, and I visit as often as my course load will allow. Adam doesn’t want me to fall behind by staying in Mapleville too long. He’s always trying to put everyone else before himself. He’s the most compassionate twelve-year-old I’ve met.

I’m still typing my mom a reply when I notice people leaving. The room empties, and I attempt to throw my things into my bag to follow them out. Only a few others remain in the room. If I’m going to get out without—

“Miss Marshall, a moment, please.”

I glance up and lock eyes with Tristan and hesitate before I offer a curt nod. Leaving my bag at my seat, I make my way to the front while Richard and the remaining students chat on their way out of the room.

Tristan is packing his things, appearing to be in no rush to leave.

I slide onto the large desk off to the side and let my legs dangle over the front, swinging them back and forth.

“What was this morning about?” he asks, zipping up his fancy leather bag.

I look over at him and shrug. “I was late.” I should tell him about Evan stopping by and what he said, but here doesn’t seem like the place to talk about it.

He leaves his bag at the podium and approaches me. “I know that, Aurora. I’m asking you why. You’re never late for work. I imagined school would be the same.”

I sigh, rubbing my hands over my face as I recall I didn’t have time to put on any makeup before I sprinted to class. “I’m tired. It’s no big deal.”

He steps in front of me and grips my wrists, pulling my hands away from my face and setting them in my lap. “It’s been over a week since—”

“I know,” I cut in. I don’t want him to say what went down the night Danielle poisoned me, or the day in the ballroom. It all felt too intimate. “It’s fine. I just need to grab a coffee.”

“Have you spoken to Skylar?”

“Aboutthis?” I ask in a sharp tone.

He chuckles. “No. About the charity event.”

“Oh,” I mumble. “I was going to head over and meet with her now.”

“I’m going there, too. Why don’t you ride with me?”

I catch my lower lip between my teeth. The idea of riding in a car alone with Tristan sets me on edge.

“Aurora,” he says in an amused tone.

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