Page 66 of Forbidden Hearts

“I think I need to use the restroom,” Isabella says. “Excuse me, I’ll be right back.”

“You need help finding the restroom?” I ask her.

“No, that’s fine. I’ll find it.” She glances at Alonzo with a sour face before leaving. She probably thinks he’s ruining our girl’s night out.

“Well, you scared them all away,” I say. I enjoy being around Alonzo, but I have to admit the night took a turn for the worse after he showed up. What college student wants to drink with a professor around?

“I’m just making sure you keep out of trouble,” he says before taking another drink of beer.

I scoff. “Is that true? Or are you making sure I don’t meet up with other guys?” I ask, trying to gauge his reaction.

His eyes darken. “Are you seeing other guys?”

“I’m not,” I say immediately. “Are you seeing other women?”

“I’m not,” he says without hesitation. His eyes tell me he’s being truthful, but we both know that can change as fast as the Texas weather. “And no, I’m not here to make sure you don’t meet other men. I know you won’t.”

“Then why are you here?”

“Like I said, I’m here to make sure you don’t get in trouble like last time. That’s why I came to speak with you, so you know I’m here.”

Like last time.

Is that true? Or is he trying to warn me, like Jacob, that he’s watching me?

On the drive over here, it occurred to me that I could meet guys here. But honestly, I’m not interested in anybody else. Once you taste the forbidden fruit that is Alonzo, it’s hard to get excited about anybody else.

Still, whatever the real reason is for him being here, I do feel a lot safer knowing he’s watching over me.

“Thank you,” I genuinely say. I choose to believe he’s taking care of me.

He nods.

“It looks like Isabella is coming back. I’ll back off and let you have some fun, but I’ll be around if you need me,” he says, standing from the table.

Is he this overprotective because of what happened to Esmeralda?

I thank him again before he leaves. By the time Isabella returns, Alonzo has disappeared into a crowd of drunk college students, completely out of sight. Even though I can’t see him, Ifeelhis eyes on me. He’s taking care of me from afar.

“Is he coming back?” Isabella asks.

“Professor Alvarez? He’s gone.”

She looks around before finally sitting down at the table. “You should be careful with him.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve seen you two leave the library together multiple times. You know, heading to the staff parking lot,” she says, briefly glancing at me before returning her eyes to her cup of beer. “It’s none of my business, so I haven’t said anything. But somebody like him, well, yeah, you need to watch out. He has a reputation, and you may end up getting hurt.”

I guess there’s no point in denying anything. Isabella has been nothing but a good friend to me this semester, and I know what she’s saying comes from a place of caring. She’s not the type to gossip or cause drama for the sake of it.

“Don’t worry,” I say. “I won’t get hurt. I know exactly what I am to Alonzo. What we have is nothing but a momentary fling.”

Although I wish it was more than that...

“That’s good,” she nods. “This is kind of embarrassing to admit because we have only known each other for a few months, but I really like you, Alex. You’re like the older sister I always wanted but never had. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“And you’re like the little sister I never had.” I smile and point to Abby and Gianna, who approach the table with a large pitcher of beer. “Now, drink some more water before you get more beer!”

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