Page 71 of Baby Duke

"I said no!" West growls. His eyes are hard and molten lava as he glares at me. I glare right back, not giving him an inch.

A throat clears beside me, and we all whirl to face Mr. Foster.

He adjusts his collar anxiously. "I, uh, I'm not sure exactly what is going on with you lot, but from the gist of it, I gather Western, Lawson, and Brett have somewhere tobe, but they don't want to leave you young ladies alone in the city?"

I glance back at West briefly, watching as he slowly nods.

"I was going to mark some papers while I was here," he holds his laptop bag up for us to see. "They have free internet, and their coffee is the best in the city," he admits sheepishly. "I can sit with Easterly and Roe until- Trent, was it? -Until Trent arrives."

I turn in my seat.

"It's not a bad idea," Law starts.

"I don't like it," West cuts in.

I roll my eyes. "I swear you argue just for the sake of arguing. Does it get you off or something?"

He glares at me, so I smile prettily and bat my eyelashes.

"I'm ok with it too, West," East says. "I mean, we miss out on our pampering session, but I can live with that. I am positive we will have plenty of opportunities in the future for spa days."

"You bet," I grin.

West looks to Brett, obviously waiting for his opinion.

"It's the only option that's not going to disrupt our plans," he says.

We all turn to face West. I can see the indecision in his eyes as he makes eye contact with each and every one of us, leaving Mr. Foster for last.

"If anything happens to either of them, I don't care if it's as minor as a damn paper cut, Iwillcome for you," West's voice is like fire and ice as he stares down our teacher.

For his part, Mr. Foster doesn't look away or shrink under the glare of a Duke. Color me impressed.

"You have my word, Western Mazzuchelli.”

The guys leave not too long after, West pressing his lips to my temple gently with a murmured, "Be careful."

"You too," I reply, squeezing his hand. He nods, sending Mr. Foster a final glare before trailing after Law and Brett.

East, Mr. Foster, and I share an awkward glance.

Mr. Foster clears his throat. "Well, I guess I should get a start on these papers."

"I've got some candy crush to catch up on," East says, tapping madly at her phone.

My lips tip up in amusement, and I throw Mr. Foster a grin as he does the same.Teenagers, we both seem to be saying.

"I'm going to find a magazine," I say as I stand.

Mr. Foster stands too.

"Seriously?"

He shuffles awkwardly in place. "Western was very clear on the whole protect-her-or-die thing."

"They are literally just there," I point to the wall with old magazines chucked carelessly onto the rack.

Mr. Foster glances at the rack, then back at me. He smiles almost guiltily.

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