Page 33 of Bachelor

“Nothing. Why? Am I in a mood, or something?”

“You don’t seem all that happy,” he said, narrowing his eyes at me. “Did something happen?”

“No, I’m just an idiot for taking on so many classes this semester and I need a break.”

“Then take one. Just sit down there for a while. You’re not bothering me here.”

I glanced down at the dainty gold wristwatch I always wore without fail. “I have class in half an hour across campus.”

“Half an hour, then. I can get you a cup of coffee or tea, if you want.”

“You don’t have to worry about me.”

“I do,” he said, then bit down on the words, his cheeks going a little pink. “I mean, I worry that you did, in fact, stack your schedule so tight it’s left little room for you to rest at all.”

“I prefer it this way,” I lied. I preferred being so busy I didn’t have time to think about him day in and day out. “I’ll get through it. There’s only a few more months left of the semester.”

It was silent for a moment. Eventually he exhaled deeply with a hint of frustration and sat down behind his desk. “Are you going on the ski trip?”

“Why?”

His eyes met mine. “I’m just asking.”

“Yeah, I’m going. Jessica and Tyler really want to go, and I didn’t want to be here by myself.”

“I’m going as well.” He leaned back in his chair, swiveling side to side for a moment before adding, “Cassandra Martins wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

“Do you have a thing with her?”

Rhys’s brows shot up. He leaned forward, fixing me with a look that had chills running up and down my spine. “Do I what?”

“Have a thing with Cassandra.”

“No... What makes you think that?”

“I don’t know. She corners me sometimes and only wants to talk about you.” I left out that she’d brought up the rumor, deciding I didn’t want to think about it, let alone talk about it.

“What exactly does she talk about?”

“Today she asked what kind of women you’re into,” I replied, my skin prickling with jealously, something I couldn’t shrug off if I tried. I hated the way it made me feel.

“What did you say?”

“What do you think I said?” I laughed, unable to help it. “That you’re into me, and she doesn’t stand a chance?”

My body reacted before the words had even left my tongue. I bit down on my lower lip, refusing to meet his eye.

Rhys laughed, a real, genuine laugh that lit the room. I sheepishly glanced in his direction, my cheeks glowing red from embarrassment. “I mean, you’re not wrong—”

“Rhys,” I cut in, shaking my head. “That’s not—not what I meant.”

“I think we’re at the point, Whitney, where we can joke about our predicament inside of looking back on it and feeling terrible for ourselves, right?”

I exhaled, my nostrils flaring. “No, I don’t agree,” I replied curtly, standing up and smoothing down my shirt.

He grinned at me, pleased with himself for getting me fired up and on edge.

“You’re a real asshole sometimes, you know that?”

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