Page 37 of Royally Rivalled

I did. In three weeks of working on it, I’d learned more than my academic life combined. It was a steep learning curve. I was never challenged in my undergraduate studies and finished my degree without issue in three years. Now, I flexed models and excelled at analysis. I'd met my rival and match in Parker.

“Yes, of course.”

“And teaching? You two do well together?”

“I hate it, but yes.”

“Girl, I bet the two of you would have fabulous hate sex. Shag him!”

I already contemplated that.

“No,” I shook my head. “You don't understand. Aristocratsare a different bag.”

“We're all nepobabies?—”

“If we become linked, all hell breaks loose for both of us in a way you'd not understand, Amara. Just trust me. It will become A Thing, even if it's hate sex. And… we’re coworkers.”

She didn't buy it. “Well, have it your way, but if you want him, get it!”

I wanted Jeremy, right? Parker should have been further from my mind, but I couldn’t shake a desire for him tokissme. Parker was my intellectual match, my only competition, and now something more. His doubt in my abilities first made me want to outperform him. Now, the look he gave me while we danced made holding back my feelings into a losing game. I wanted him to dote and tell me how badly he wanted me.

twenty-five

PARKER

Banquet aside,Astrid and I didn't change. Our truce remained but became nothing more. The next time I saw her for our seminar, she acted as if nothing happened. The moment we'd stood in that ballroom, unable to stop staring, the world fell silent. She refused to acknowledge there was something there. While she could set it aside, I couldn't compartmentalise. I watched her lead the lab—giving her a chance to shine—remarking on how well-spoken and confident she was. I suddenly found the way she tucked her hair behind her earadorable. What the hell was that about?

I tried to work up the courage to tell her how I felt after class. I attempted to say something as we finished but she left swiftly with nary a word. I gave up on what I assumed was chemistry. I'd misread another situation with another woman. I beat down my brooding feelings. I was hopeless Parker Westfall, the man who could not convert.

Then, Friday morning rolled around. At half-four, I left my house in a cab headed for the train station. I found my group of MUN students waiting for me to take them north in Dr Briggs' absence. I spotted a hanger-on at this unholy hour of a poorly paid workday.

“Briggs asked you to go, too?” Astrid asked.

If a heart could sinkandgrow one after the other, mine did. I saw this as a brilliant opportunity to show off my kind, vulnerable side. We could have downtime outside of work to justbe. She’d come around. I trusted Ashleigh’s advice. I needed to come off as less asshole and more approachable.

“Yes,” I said, “and never mentioned it.”

“Well, we can get work done on the train.”

That was true. At least it was practical.

“I hope we're not roommates, Parker.”

“I don't think Briggs would do that. He'd probably get written the riot act over that. It'd count as sexual harassment.”

“Not unless you planned to do something?”

She jested, but damn if I didn'twantto do something. Even if I’d fantasised about Astrid for the past week, nothing would happen, and we weren’t sharing a room. Though I’d never admit it, I paid to upgrade my room a week ago. I assumed she did the same but was surprised she hadn’t.

Focus, Parker.

We herded the flock of students on the train for the short train journey to London, where we chased down our connection and urged them to focus on walking. Astrid walked with breakneck speed, outclassing me. The woman could win a power-walking competition.

Then, we settled onto our direct train to Glasgow. Astrid pulled out her laptop and stared.

“Want to work?”

I didn't, but I should. “Of course.”

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