Page 70 of Freshman

“Christ, then what happened?”

“He tried to kiss me, but I dodged it. He went back inside. I’m surprised Max didn’t see him.”

“Max was too busy making out with the barman.”

“Oh.”

“No wonder you bailed on us, with Liam giving off serial killer vibes.” She shuddered. “You sure do know how to attract the psychos, don’t you?”

Alfie frowned, cutting into the cheesecake with more force than necessary. “Psychos? As in plural.”

“Yeah, you’ve got that prisoner at work, the one you had to do mouth-to-mouth on. The one you…get on with.”

“There’s nothing going on with Queenie.”

“Sure,” Tia said, lifting her brow.

“I swear, actually, there’s someone else,” Alfie said without thinking. “A prison officer,” he blurted.

“Really?”

He looked at her pleading blue eyes, brighter than Nate’s and not as suffocating. If anything, they were freeing, and he gave in. “Yeah, but I’m not sure it’s a good idea.” He bit his lip. “I know it’s not a good idea.”

“Workplace romances rarely are. Is it forbidden?”

“Forbidden?”

“In your contract. Are staff relationships forbidden?”

Alfie slowly nodded.

Tia pouted in sympathy. “What’s his name?”

Alfie’s mouth popped open. His cheeks warmed, and his words tangled his tongue in knots. “I—I don’t think—”

“Take a deep breath.” Tia snorted. “You must have it baaaad if you can’t even remember his name on the spot.”

“Michael.”

“Is he hot?”

“Yes. Yes, he’s hot.”

“Does your stomach go all tingly when he talks to you?”

Alfie shivered and nodded. He saw Nate’s lips stretch in his head, the predatory smile that said he was ready to pounce, and Alfie wanted him to, would bare his throat in the hope Nate would kiss it.

“When you see him, does your heart speed up, feel like it’s trying to escape your chest?”

Just talking about Nate made it drum faster, and Alfie shut his eyes and released a torturous groan. “This conversation has made it worse. It’s made it real.”

He opened his eyes and watched Tia suck on her straw with a gleeful expression. She flexed her eyebrow, and Alfie began to wish he hadn’t said anything.

“It’s against the rules.”

“Fuck the rules,” Tia announced. “It’s kind of…hot.”

“What is?”

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