Page 35 of Hello Kitten

What the hell am I doing? He’s my professor! I have to stop. I promised my best friend I’d be done with him. By being here with him, I’m threatening his job, my standing in school, and my friendship. Why? For good sex?

Well, it’s mind blowing sex, but still.

I wash my hands, almost splash water on my face, but stop because of my makeup.

This pink dress is gorgeous, kind of slinky for a wedding, definitely skirting the line considering it has a cascading neckline that shows off cleavage and two slits up the skirt so my thighs show when I walk, but it’s not white.

It’s also not a dress that Adrian is going to ignore. Just as I can’t ignore him. He looks so good in the light blue button up with his black tie and black slacks.

I shake myhead. We head back tomorrow. That’s when I’ll call it quits. He knows—hehasto know—that this can’t and won’t last. It’s just not possible. It’s not worth all we could lose if we’re found out.

Rubbing my fingernail between my teeth, I head out to the ball room for the reception. I keep chewing my nail until my mom grabs me for photos.

I smile, do what I have to do, then finally walk into the reception hall. Adrian is talking with one of the bride’s maids who’s clearly flirting with him. If he’s flirting back ...

I blink away the thought, it’s just something I have to get used to.

Rather than going to my seat, I head to the bar and get a whiskey double. Adrian was definitely right about them not carding. It’s put in my hand without any kind of question. I down it, set the glass down, thank her, then find someone to talk to.

I clap for my sister when she comes in, smile, let her see me there, give my speech that she asked for during the photos, then start to head out when Adrian catches my hand. He motions to my seat.

“I ... I’m not feeling well. I’m heading back to the room. Have fun,” I say.

“Don’t,” he warns. “Sit down, kitten.”

“You should stay and have fun. I’m ... I’m gonna go,” I say again.

“Emily, I’m here for you, not toenjoy—”

I suck in a quick breath. If I don’t get myself under control, I’ll cause a whole scene because I’m worked up.

Sitting down, I glance around to make sure no one has bothered to notice us.

Adrian tries to take my hand, but I fold my hands in my lap. “We can’t keep doing this.”

“You’ve said that every day,” he comments.

“And I’ve meant it every time, Adrian. I have,” I whisper, staring at the admittedly cute origami birds. “You know I’m right, otherwise you wouldn’t avoid the conversation.”

“We’re not back at school yet.”

“And you haven’t promised to stop when we get there. No more comments on papers, no sticky notes, no changing my ‘no’s into something else,” my voice shakes as I say it. “No promises and no follow through.”

“No eye-fucking me in class,” he murmurs.

“No giving me better grades.”

“I’ve never done that, Emily. Believe me or don’t, but I grade fairly and you don’t need to fail to prove it. I don’t want you to fail.”

I smooth out my dress. “Tonight is the last night we spend together. P-promise me.”

“I’d be more likely to promise that if I believed it’s whatyouwant.”

“It’s what weneed. That’s more important,” I flip my hair over my shoulder. “I need my best friend. I need to graduate. You need your job.”

“You can’t even look at me when you say it,” he says, his voice cracking slightly.

He nudges his chair back and I glance at him as he’s rocked back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. I swallow and gaze at his face. His gorgeous, annoyed face.

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