Page 18 of When Hearts Collide

Belle laughs and ties her sleek black hair in a messy topknot.

Our quartet is a strange bunch. Grace is the spunky, smart one determined to make something out of her circumstances. Taylor is the grunge-makeup-wearing, multiple-body-piercing ballerina. Then there’s Belle, the old money, high society heir to a fashion empire and also the only child of an international supermodel from Asia, and me, the girl who is “just Millie,” trying to pursue her dreams of becoming a teacher with no one knowing my connection to one of the most reclusive billionaires in the country.

That’s right, the girls don’t know my connection to Adrian. I met them shortly after Lloyd broke up with me and I didn’t want any of my future relationships to be tainted in the same way. But now, several years in, I can’t help but feel guilty I’ve been withholding part of myself to my girls, because they aren’t Lloyd. But it’s hard to open up and tell the truth after years of secrecy.

“Anyway, spill. Tell me all about sunny California.”

I snort and set aside the yarn on my desk. “Not so sunny. There was a storm a few days ago and my first day was a disaster.” I tell them what happened with my oversleeping and my face-planting entrance. My skin heats thinking about that day.

“That sounds horrible and so unlike you! You’re Ms. I’m prepared for anything! Did you get in trouble?” Grace asks, her eyes wide.

“I don’t think my professor likes me. And that’s putting it mildly. But it could be worse. I could be having one of my horrible periods and dealing with this crap at the same time.”

Letting out a sigh, I brush my damp hair. It’s true. Or at least, that’s what I tell myself, imagining how much worse my encounter with Professor Anderson would be if I were dealing with stabbing cramps and cold sweats.

I change the subject, not wanting to discuss him further when I barely understand my feelings myself. “But other than that, things have been good. The campus is beautiful, and I finally got to visit the exotic blooms exhibit at the LA Arboretum and Greenhouse last weekend. Those beauties were a sight to behold.”

I smile, thinking of the delicate white petals of the ghost orchid, the vibrant colors of the middlemist red, the striking blue green of the jade vine.

Mom would have loved it if she were here. When I was younger, she was too busy with her two jobs to take us to the Arboretum, not to mention the price of admission for a family of four was staggering and we didn’t have the funds to spare.

Someday, I want to open a greenhouse for the public so everyone can access these flowers for free.

I look down, my eyes prickling as a lump forms in my throat. It’s been twelve years since I lost Mom, and there are some wounds time cannot heal. Deep down inside, I’ll always be the little girl missing the warm hugs from her mom and wishing she can feel protected in her embrace instead of pretending to be brave in front of everyone else. A wetness trickles down my cheek and I quickly swipe my hand to hide the evidence of my tears.

I whisper, “But being back here has been more difficult than I expected. I miss Mom.”

Glancing up, I see three frowning faces staring at me in concern and I twist my lips into something I hope resembles a smile. I don’t want them to worry about me. “It was nice. I feel closer to her than I’ve ever had in over a decade. These are happy tears.”

I grab the packet of gummy bears from the corner of the desk—my little pieces of happiness—and plop one into my mouth, savoring the sweet flavor. Food makes everything better.

“Aw, Millie. I’d hug you if you were next to me,” Taylor whispers, her eyes taking on a wet sheen, “And I don’t fucking like to hug people. Gives me the hives,” she gripes, earning snickers from all of us, effectively breaking the strange tension.

“So, any guys? Hotties on campus?” Belle grins and waggles her brows.

My mind automatically flashes to a pair of slate-gray eyes, the color of molten quicksilver, a tall, arresting man in a dark suit, and I flinch. He’s definitely not a “guy” but all man. Tingles appear in my lower belly.

Nonsense. He’s your professor, Millie. He’s forbidden.

“What’s that look on your face?” Grace peers quizzically at me, her face plastered up against her screen.

I blink and look around, my skin feeling warm once more. Dammit. I twist my hands on my lap. “What face?”

“That face. There’s someone, isn’t there?” She’s like a vulture hovering around a dying animal.

My bedroom door squeaks open, and Jocelyn traipses in with my insulated mug. “You left this in the kitchen,” she whispers, before waving to the girls on the screen and dashing out of my room.

I take a sip of the hot chocolate, nearly spitting out the scalding contents. Darn insulated mugs for keeping contents boiling hot.

I need to throw some salt over my shoulders or sage the room or something to ward off more mishaps in the future.

I shake my head, my eyes watering. “There’s no one. Absolutely no one. I’m here to kick ass, get good grades so I can get into the honors program when I’m back. That’s it. No distractions.” And definitely no distractions with professors.

“You have to go out and enjoy yourself, Millie. Life can’t only be about studying and getting ahead. We never see you date, and I think you’ve only mentioned that asshole ex of yours before, who I very much want to beat up based on what you’ve told me about that chauvinistic lecher.”

She sighs. “Or if I had a pet, like a good guard dog, I’d find him and set it on him. I hear dogs are good at sniffing out assholes.” Belle cracks her knuckles, her eyes taking on a murderous gleam, and I bite back a laugh.

“The dog thing again? Why don’t you get one, Belle? You’ve been talking about getting a pet forever.”

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