Page 20 of Guarded Love

Ari leans back in her chair, studying me with those observant eyes that never miss a thing. "It's been, like, three years, Willow."

"Two years," I correct automatically, then wince at how pathetic that sounds. "Not that I'm counting."

"Clearly." Ari's voice is dry, but her expression softens. "Look, you can't let one awkward night?—"

"Can we not?" I interrupt, glancing around to make sure no one's listening. "Not here."

The memory of that night flashes in my mind. The taste of cheap beer and jungle juice, Blaise's jersey brushing against my skin, the warmth of his lips on mine, and then the rejection that followed. My face grows hot just thinking about it.

"Fine," Ari relents. "But this assignment might be good for you. Closure and all that."

I snort. "I don't need closure. I need a time machine so I can go back and tell Past Willow not to make an absolute fool of herself."

"Past Willow was drunk and honest. Current Willow is just in denial."

"Current Willow is trying to maintain her professional dignity," I counter, scribbling down the rest of the hockey players' names. "And survive this assignment without dying from embarrassment."

"Hey, I'm just saying, this could be good for you," Ari whispers, leaning closer so no one else can hear. "Confronting the awkward thing head-on instead of diving behind potted plants every time you see him on campus."

"That was one time," I protest, "and it was a large decorative bench, not a plant."

"And the time you pretended to be fascinated by the fire evacuation map when he walked into Brewed Beginnings?"

"I was...concerned about safety protocols."

"For seven minutes?"

I glare at her, but there's no heat behind it. "You're supposed to be on my side."

"I am on your side. That's why I'm telling you to face this thing instead of letting it haunt you for the rest of your college career." She reaches over and taps the sticky note where Blaise's name stands out like a neon sign. "Besides, it's just an interview. You ask questions, he answers, you write it up, everyone moves on with their lives."

"I mean he’s graduating this year, so it would only be for the rest ofhiscollege career.”

“Wills—”

“Right." I nod, trying to convince myself as much as her. "Professional. Detached. I interview people I don't like all the time."

"You don't dislike Blaise," Ari counters my statement. "That's the whole problem."

I open my mouth to argue, but the truth in her words stings too much. Damn Ari for knowing me better than I know myself sometimes.

"Whatever," I mumble, focusing intently on rewriting my notes. "The point is, I can handle this. It's just another assignment."

"Of course you can," Ari says, her tone softening. "And I'll help you prepare questions if you want."

Kate claps her hands, bringing our whispered conversation to an abrupt halt. "That's it for assignments. Remember your deadlines and let me know if you need anything."

As the group disperses, I stare at the names on my sticky note. Five hockey players. Five interviews. One massive headache waiting to happen.

"You know what?" I say, straightening my shoulders and walking back over to my desk. "I'm going to tackle this head-on. Knox first, obviously. Easy win. Then maybe Levi or Asher. Work my way up to..."

"The awkward one?" Ari supplies helpfully.

"I was going to say the more challenging interviews, but yes."

My phone vibrates, and I dig it out from under a stack of papers. It's a text from my brother.

"Speak of the devil," I mutter, showing Ari the notification. I wait a split second before tapping to open Knox's message.

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