Chapter 13

CANDACE

“Your professor is coming this way.”

I turned so quickly that I nearly walked straight into Bridgette.

Elias was coming down the hallway with a folder tucked beneath one arm, speaking quietly to another lecturer beside him.

“Just act normal,” Bridgette whispered beside me.

“I am acting normal.”

She looked down at me before looking back at Elias.

I tightened my grip on the strap of my bag and forced myself to relax. There was no reason for me to be nervous.

This was a hallway filled with students. Elias was my professor, and I was one of dozens of students he’d probably spoken to today.

Whatever had happened between us before I knew who he was didn’t change that.

At least, that was what I kept telling myself.

He was getting closer.

I suddenly became aware of everything. The way my backpack was sitting against my shoulder.

Then his eyes shifted toward us.

As he passed, he gave me a polite nod.

“Miss Winters.”

My throat tightened.

“Professor.”

He continued walking without stopping, his attention returning to the lecturer beside him. A few seconds later, they disappeared around the corner.

I didn’t realise I was still watching the empty hallway until Bridgette bumped her shoulder against mine.

“Okay.”

I blinked and looked at her. “What?”

She was already wearing that expression. The one that meant she had noticed something and was about to make it my problem.

“Don’t kill me.”

“Bridgette.”

“I think your professor has a tiny little crush on you.”

I froze. “What?”

She burst out laughing, covering her mouth as she tried to contain herself. “Oh my God. Your face.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You should have seen yourself just now.”

“There was nothing to see.”

“There was definitely something to see.” She grabbed my arm and started walking, still laughing. “Relax. You don’t need to look so horrified at the thought of you being in a relationship with him.”

“That’s because that is a horrible thought.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s my professor.”

“And?”

I stared at her. “And he’s older.”

Bridgette’s eyebrows rose. “Older?”

“Yes.”

“That is a very diplomatic way of saying old.”

“He’s not old.”

“You just said he’s old.”

“I said older.”

She laughed again and pulled me along before I could argue with her.

“Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

I rolled my eyes. “Can we please talk about literally anything else?”

“Fine. But I’m keeping this information.”

“There is no information.”

“Sure.”

She was still smiling when we reached the courtyard, and I was grateful when she finally changed the subject.

We talked about an assignment we were both struggling with, complained about the cafeteria food, and argued about whether we should order takeout later instead of attempting to cook.

I was beginning to forget the conversation when two girls walking a few feet behind us caught my attention.

“I swear, Professor Elias is ridiculously hot.”

My steps slowed before I could stop them.

Bridgette looked sideways at me but said nothing.

“I know!” the other girl replied. “I actually don’t mind History anymore.”

“Same. I might start coming early just to get a seat near the front.”

I pressed my lips together and kept walking.

“See?” Bridgette murmured.

I frowned. “See what?”

“Nothing.”

I gave her a suspicious look, but she only smiled.

The girls behind us continued talking.

“I heard he’s only here for the semester.”

“Seriously?”

“Apparently. Which is actually tragic.”

I almost laughed at that.

Instead, I shoved both hands into the pockets of my oversized hoodie and stared straight ahead.

Bridgette looked amused. “Half the female population of this university has apparently lost its mind.”

“He’s a professor. They’re probably just bored.”

“Maybe he’s actually that attractive.”

I shrugged.

“I wouldn’t know.”

Bridgette gave me a look.

I shook my head, trying not to smile.

A few minutes later, we reached the student centre, and Bridgette stopped when she checked her phone.

“Oh, crap. I have to go.”

“Where?”

“Class.” She made a face as if she’d just been sentenced to prison.

“Wish me luck.”

“Good luck.”

She hugged me quickly before hurrying across the courtyard, leaving me standing there alone with my bag hanging from one shoulder.

I watched until she disappeared into the crowd, then turned toward the library. I still had a ridiculous amount of work to catch up on, and the sooner I started, the sooner I could stop thinking about school for the day.

I had barely taken a few steps when someone called behind me.

“Black dress.”

I kept walking.

There were hundreds of students on campus. It couldn’t possibly be me.

“Black dress.”

I stopped.

Slowly, I turned around.

A guy stood several feet away, watching me with a faint smile on his face. He looked familiar, although I couldn’t immediately place him.

His smile widened when our eyes met.

“I knew it.”

I frowned. “Excuse me?”

He stepped closer, his eyes moving over me before settling on my face.

“Even in your oversized fit, I’d recognise you anywhere.”

A strange discomfort settled in my stomach.

“I’m sorry. Do I know you?”

He chuckled as though my question amused him.

“You don’t remember me?”

“No.”

“I was at the party.”

That didn’t narrow it down much.

I remembered the music. The crowded rooms. The drinks. The stranger outside.

Elias.

I pushed the thought away immediately.

“Okay,” I said, forcing a polite smile. “Well, I really have somewhere to be.”

I turned to leave.

“Wait.”

I stopped but didn’t turn around.

“I said I’m just trying to talk to you.”

I looked back at him.

“About what?”

He shrugged, but there was something strange in his expression now. He seemed almost amused by my discomfort.

“Nothing serious.”

“Then why are you following me?”

“I told you. I’m just trying to talk.”

“I heard you.”

I turned again, determined to leave.

His fingers closed around my elbow.

I jerked to a stop.

“Let go.”

He released me almost immediately, but instead of backing away, he stepped closer and motioned toward the quieter corner beside the student centre.

I stared at him.

“What are you doing?”

“Relax.”

“I am relaxed.”

I wasn’t, not even close.

He looked around before lowering his voice.

“You really think nobody noticed?”

My brows pulled together. “Noticed what?”

His smile returned, but there was nothing friendly about it this time.

“That night with you…”

He paused, watching my face carefully.

“…and the other guy.”

My blood ran cold.

He knew.