Page 58 of Royally Rivalled

The recognition of the ABDs began. I waited to be called up.

“Parker, why don’t you come up here?” Briggs asked.

I grudgingly agreed, trying my best not to show antipathy. I did not want to be here, even if I liked praise.

“Parker is one of our best students—and not just because he is by far the most fabulous example of our prowess in game theory or because he is well-liked by his seminar students. No, Parker is thoughtful, and his dedication to service is, quite frankly, unmatched. He assists in mentoring younger graduate students and volunteers with our Model UN program. If that is not enough, he sponsors the Students for DEI club. Parker exemplifies the values of our departmentand, I hope, will make an excellent faculty member for any university.”

I was touched. That was above and beyond what I expected.

“Thank you,” I said.

“His thesis on universal basic income and public support for social policy in Western Europe will wow all of you,” Briggs continued. “And he will hopefully defend it soon.”

I wrote it. Now, I needed to defend it. I was terrified to set it free.

I would have smiled for effect if I hadn’t spotted Jeremy with his arm around the back of Astrid’s chair. She tried to focus on me, but he talked to her. It made me want to scowl.

I nodded in thanks.

“Parker, I’d like to present you with the Outstanding Teaching Award for your constant dedication to our undergraduates,” Briggs said.

That touched me. Briggs handed me a nice plaque with my name. We stood, shaking hands for pictures. I wanted to beeline back to the table with my new plaque but was stopped in my tracks.

“Just stay up here a minute longer. There is another award, and this one involves two more students.”

I stood there, annoyed and cursing at having worn brand-new dress shoes. I loathed how uncomfortable leather-tread shoes were. No matter what people told you about Saville Row, they were wrong.

“I would like to hand out an Outstanding Service Award now. Parker, you are one of the winners. The next awardee—Marian Dunbar of Economics—has been an organiser for the Students for Social Equity group on campus and a volunteer at the Students Gender-Based Violence Crisis Centre.”

A tall girl in a blue dress stepped forward. Again, handshake, plaque, picture.

“Finally, another politics student—this time one of our newest students—Astrid Deschamps.”

I watched. Jeremy whispered in her ear. Confusion spread as she walked forward.

“Astrid is one of our accelerated MSc students. While her work inthe classroom has been exemplary, she also jumped in to pick up the slack along with Parker while I’ve been out with my new son. Astrid was quick to work with the Model UN here and in Glasgow. She also serves as secretary for the International Student Union. And for someone who just arrived here, we are grateful for her positive contributions.”

Astrid smiled and posed for the photo. She was at ease as if she had always done this. She attempted to say something as we left the stage, but I pretended not to hear. I’d grown sick of watching her flirt with Jeremy. It was as if I hadn’t told her to avoid him. I ignored her out of spite.

I knew it wasn’t fair. We weren’t together, but I hoped I’d make enough of an impression on her at that time. I’d hoped that she might want to see me again in a legitimate way. To believe it was foolish.

thirty-six

ASTRID

“I don’t want to go,”I groaned to Alexandra.

“Why?” She asked.

The baby whined in the background.

“No, Linnea,” Alexandra said, annoyed. “No!”

“What?”

“She keeps biting me. I pull her off the breast and put her back on. She needs to know that biting won’t be tolerated.”

I shivered at the thought.

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