“Oh, um. I think I’ve got it. I mean, Sophia’s been helping….”
“Yes, but Sophia doesn’t have a degree in Biology. And neither does Evan.” He flashes her a tight smile before his gaze bores into mine. I caught the sarcasm when he said my stepbrother’s name. “Let’s talk in my office.”
“Or we can go to the classroom,” Sophia quickly suggests, gesturing down the hallway.
“Nonsense. My office is right around the corner. And this way, other students won’t see Lexi struggling with the material.” He grabs my arm, dragging me in the opposite direction. “Come along, Lexi.”
Fuck. How the hell do I get outta this situation?
CHAPTER 37
Alexis
Icast a helpless look over my shoulder as I reluctantly follow Huntley. He doesn’t notice, too busy gabbing about how proud he is of me for working so hard to improve my grade.
“You certainly don’t act like a Whitmore. They pay their way through life rather than work for anything. Why do you think their name is on the building?”
God, this is awkward.
I want to turn around and run to Sophia, but I can’t imagine what Huntley would do if I did.Probably give me an F on today’s discussion questions.
“How’s life at SRU? Are you settling in well?” Huntley opens his office door, gesturing for me to go inside. I swear he inhales my scent as I pass him.
He steps inside and shuts the door behind him. His presence is too close for my comfort.
“It’s fine. Things are going well.” My muscles are tense as he heads for his desk.
“Good to hear.” He gestures toward the chair across from him. “Please, have a seat.”
I do as he instructs, my spine rigid as I put my backpack on my legs, ready to bolt.
“Lexi, I won’t bite.” He chuckles, his predatory eyes roaming over every inch of me as he slides into his chair. “Before we get started, tell me about your family situation.”
“What do you mean?”
“I understand Preston and your mother got married very suddenly.”
My eyes narrow. “She’s not pregnant. Just stupidly in love.”
He chuckles. “That’s good to hear. And how did Evan take the news of having a stepsister?”
I pause, unsure how to answer.Do I tell him Evan resented me?
I squirm beneath Huntley’s intense gaze. “It’s been an adjustment. But we’re dealing.”
Huntley leans back in his chair. “Glad to hear that.” His gaze moves to my backpack. “Please, make yourself comfortable.”
“I’m fine.”
His eyes narrow. “Why don’t you come around here so you can see my computer screen? That way we can review last week’s discussion questions.”
I unzip my backpack, pull my laptop from it, and set the bag on the chair beside me. Perching my laptop on my knees, I open the screen. “It’ll be easier to comprehend if I can see the questions and my answers.”
“Very well.” He starts typing, a fake smile on his lips. “We’ll do this your way.”
Thank God.
“I saw you coming out of the pizza shop with Evan about a week and a half ago.” His shrewd gaze moves from the screen to me. “The two of you looked rather… cozy.”