Page 63 of Provocation
‘Yeah, I get it. Let’s see the list.’
She takes it out of her pocket, and I scan it quickly. ‘Well, we can talk about Envy on the walk over to the Novelle Centre, and we can write this paper together tonight at Wrath while we’re making Batch Two. There. Mostly done.’
She gives me a little smile. ‘Thanks.’
I grab my coat for her to wear, and when we leave the house, I take her hand as we walk. It’s only when we get to the lab that I realize that Blake never promised not to deal with Bennet. I can’t help my small grin, knowing that my friend will leave enough left of him for Daisy, but he will be taking his own revenge on her behalf.
I can’t wait to see what he does to the asshole. Subtle, Blake is not. I think maybe I’ll walk Daisy to that class tomorrow so I can have a front row seat.
Chapter Six
DAISY
Mav’s hand is next to mine as we work, and every once in a while, I brush my finger against his, which relaxes me after my little freak-out. I can’t believe Shade cleaned up for me. I was so scared he was just going to realize I’m still the same Daisy from ten years ago and decide he doesn’t want to be anywhere near me, maybe take a few snaps to send to John, but he didn’t. He made it so it never happened instead. He even got me a new mirror.
I didn’t mean to crack the old one, but when I got to my room and saw my face in it, I was so angry at myself, at Bennet, that I hurled my bag at the glass. Luckily I’d already taken out my laptop or I’d have ruined something else that Blake gave me, too.
After the shitty day I’ve had, I’m glad that there’s not much work to do on Envy except for making the color a deeper green, which is easy enough. It’s a load off my mind that I won’t have to spend a lot of time trying to rework the recipe on top of everything else. And at least I’m pretty much done with the partner project, so I won’t have to meet up with Bennet again.
How could I have been so wrong about someone? I just thought he was being friendly. I shudder as I recall his evil smirk on the camera in my room. He’d been planning to attackme then. I could see it in his eyes, but then he must have seen the camera lens. Maybe it glinted or reflected in his glasses, or something.
Mav and I stay in the lab until it starts to get dark. We’re just about to pack up when we hear the door click. I glance over my shoulder, knowing it can only be one of a handful of people because not many can get this far into the building, and I see Professor Applegate.
He doesn’t usually come down to the lab when I’m here, but I suppose after Bennet’s accusations, now would be a good time to let him know in case there are rumors floating around about him that might get him into trouble.
‘Ms. Evans. Mr. Shaw,’ he steps forward, ‘we need to speak about that special project you’ve been working on.’
‘Sure, we can talk in the breakroom,’ Mav nods.
‘I won’t be long,’ he says to me, and I nod.
‘Oh, Professor Applegate.’
The older man pauses and looks at me expectantly as Mav goes through the door into the next room.
‘I’m sorry, but I thought I should let you know. I think there might be some rumors that the only reason I got this assistant role was because I…um…’
My cheeks heat. I didn’t think this through.
‘Because…’ he prompts.
‘Well, someone said to me today that the only reason I got the job over everyone else was because I…’
‘Slept with me?’ he says, and I nod.
‘And who accused you of this?’
‘It doesn’t matter,’ I murmur.
He sighs. ‘Thank you for letting me know, Ms. Evans. I’ll ensure I get in front of any accusations of misconduct.’ He gives me a tight smile. ‘I’m sorry if this has made things difficult for you in any way.’
‘It’s fine,’ I say quietly, and he turns away, but the truth is I’m beginning to wonder.
‘I didn’t realize that the lab assistant role was so competitive,’ I say to his back, and he freezes. ‘Can I ask why you gave it to a student you didn’t even know, one who wasn’t even enrolled here before September?’
He turns back around to face me slowly and steps closer.
‘I wasn’t sure if you remembered me, or not,’ he says quietly. ‘I suppose if you’re asking me that question, you don’t.’
