Page 32 of Enemies to Lovers

“Accurate.” He reaches for more popcorn, and I don’t have the energy to even pretend to pull it away. “But Val… you’re smart. You work your ass off. Anyone who knows you can see that.”

“Not him.”

“Then he hasn’t been looking.” He wipes his hand again, sitting back with his drink. “You want the internship?”

“Yes.”

“Then work for it, like you always do.” He levels me with his gaze. “And don’t do it because of him. Do it because it’s what you want.”

The lights dim before he’s done talking, but I’m glad he finishes. Usually he cuts off all conversation as soon as they fade out. The smallest of smiles appears at the corner of my mouth, and I loop my arm through his and give him a hug. A groan rumbles his throat, and I laugh and return my hands to my popcorn.

It’s nice to have his support. I mean, I always do. It’s nice to see he actually believes I’m a hard worker.

But what’s not so nice—and not at all easy—is putting Miles completely out of my motivation. I mean, if I prove to him I am smart and I work hard and things don’t just fall into my lap while getting the internship, I don’t see that as a bad thing.

Even standing, my leg bounces. It loves to do that shit.

I curse under my breath and start pacing the length of the exam table, flexing and stretching my fingers.

My day… Think about my day.

Woke up.

Got a hug from Emerson—first one since Christmas. Guess she figures I’ve suffered enough over my stupidity.

Thing is, I apologized. I practically groveled. Ball is completely in Val’s court, and I should be absolved from all guilt.

Yet, I stand here, shaking like I’m about to take a test instead of just a regular lab day. And I blame it entirely on my lab partner.

I crack my knuckles, shaking my head. Back to my day.

My day.

My list.

Breathe.

Put gas in the car.

Parked in the west lot—knowing Val parks there.

Hoped to run into her on the way in. Had another apology on my lips.

The door to the lab opens, and my heart full stops until a classmate who is not Val makes an appearance, then I go back to pacing and overthinking.

She’s late.

She’s never late.

The door opens again, but it’s only Professor Clark. She holds the door open, and a little person with a trimmed beard and dark hair slides past her. My stomach hollows, and I try to smile, but I’m not sure how it looks.

“Students,” Professor Clark says as the door swings closed. She gestures to the little person next to her. “This is Dr. Goff. He’ll be observing your lab today.”

People wave and mutter hellos. I swallow my tongue and eye the door again. Do I work without Val? Did she swap classes so she doesn’t have to work with me?

Dr. Goff leans to Professor Clark, and they have a whispered conversation, then both look in my direction. My neck fills with heat, and I scratch at my barely-there scruff. I should’ve kept the beard. Grown it miles long. I thought the hair was what kept me scratching it, but it’s my damn personality.

Professor Clark explains what we’ll be doing today—though we all already know; it’s in the syllabus. My glance pulls to the squirrel I’ll be working on—apparently solo. It’s not just squirrels in the room, either. I spot a few birds, gophers, and rabbits.

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