Page 19 of Bachelor

He smiled softly, his cheeks going a little pink. “I always liked you, too. Christian has always been a dumbass, but that stunt he pulled with Nicole took it to a whole new level. You got him back, though. I thought what you did was incredible.”

“I regret it sometimes.”

“Why? He’s still getting what he wanted. Nicole is the kind of woman who’s fine sitting idly back while her husband has affairs as long as she gets her allowance.”

“I know, but she was still my friend at one point, and I wanted better for her. I acted out of impulse and emotion rather than logically, and now she’s stuck with him forever.”

“She’s not too upset about it. I went to her family’s Christmas Eve gala, and that’s all her mother could talk about—their upcoming wedding this summer, in the Hamptons, of course.”

“I’m sure I won’t be getting an invitation.”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t hold your breath,” he laughed.

We moved on to the next painting.

“Do you get a lot of flak for not going home after graduating last year?” he asked after a moment.

“I did, yeah. What about you?” I was immensely curious about Tyler’s situation. He was like me and Nicole and Christian, born with silver spoons in our mouths and our entire futures planned out for us before we could walk.

“I’m the youngest of three brothers,” he sighed. “My parents don’t care what I do with my trust fund. Honestly, I don’t think they realized I went back to Gatlington. They must assume I have an apartment in New York City and I’m blowing through my trust like my middle brother did before my dad finally got him in a suit and tie. By the time they realize I’m gone, I’ll be overseas on an expedition.”

“I see why you and Rhys like each other so much.”

“I do really like that guy. Cool dude. So young, too, which was surprising. That in itself gives me hope that pursuing archeology might actually pan out for me in the future. I could see myself as a professor one day.”

“I don’t Rhys likes it as much he lets on,” Jessica cut in, finally rejoining the conversation. A waiter passed, and we each took another glass of white wine.

“What do you mean?” Tyler asked.

I shot Jessica a look. We were getting too close to very dangerous territory here.

She caught the look, rolling her eyes from mine to Tyler. “I think he’s lonely.”

“Lonely?” Tyler scoffed. “He plenty of friends on campus.”

“Just other professors,” she sighed. “And Bill, of course.”

“Well, you’re pretty close with him, aren’t you?” he asked me.

I fought against the blush starting to creep up my neck. I really, really didn’t want to be talking about Rhys right now.

“I mean, sure. I’m his TA this semester. He doesn’t seem all that lonely to me.”

Tyler gave me a hard look, concern flashing behind his eyes. “Jessica, I think you’re right. He hangs out in the gym a lot. Maybe we could all get together and do something, have Bill host another game night or book club.”

“I think that’d be great.” Jessica beamed, her gaze landing on mine.

I mouthed,What are you doing?but she just grinned at me with her feline smile that immediately set my teeth on edge. Once Tyler left, she and I would be having a conversation about this for sure.

“Well, well, well!”

The three of us turned around to the sound of Cassandra Martins’ voice. She beamed at us and waved.

“Looks like I’m not the only person on campus who appreciates the arts.”

Tyler gave her a quick smile, but she ignored him, and Jessica for the matter, and set her sights on me.

“I’ve been meaning to talk to you,” she said to me before turning to Jessica and Tyler. “Do you mind if I borrow her for a minute?”

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