Page 183 of Forbidden Lessons

Bastian

My hand is over my mouth. To anyone in the crowd looking in my direction, I’m as appalled as the rest of them at Haven’s fiery speech.

Truly, I’m hiding a smile.

After that fumbled entrance, I was expecting her to cower and placate. She’s not a people pleaser, but she sure as hell doesn’t like causing a stir either.

Until today.

When I pushed, she shoved right back.

When she fell, she was on her feet in a heartbeat.

Maybe sheisunbreakable.

Fascinating.

Dean Winslow takes the podium as soon as Haven leaves, the stately woman’s voice steady despite the nervous way her eyes flicker around the crowd. She’s already in damage control mode, and no wonder. A lot of people won’t like the way Haven just addressed them, even just as nameless faces in the crowd.

No one enjoys being just another ‘them’.

Melissa grabs Haven’s arms, the two of them disappearing into the dark off-stage. I’m tempted to find them, to get Havenalone, but there are a lot of watchful eyes here tonight, and Haven’s put a target on her back.

I won’t be collateral damage.

The night is young, and even after that performance, I doubt Haven will leave soon.

I take a sip of my champagne, glancing over my shoulder for a colleague I can talk to while I bide my time. Most I dismiss. I’d have more fun telling people on Reddit AITA threads that they were, in fact, TA.

Someone crashes into my shoulder, sending champagne sloshing over my tuxedo sleeve.

A young voice mutters, “Jesus, fuck.”

I turn to Kai, eyebrows raised. “Nice to see you, too.”

He glances down at my soaked sleeve and then tries to go around me. I side step, blocking his way. I’m not used to people ignoring me.

“You’re in an awful hurry.”

“Yeah, uh, sorry, I got to do some shit.” He tries to sidle off, but I catch his arm.

“I’m talking to you.”

Kai wrenches himself free with such a frown that I huff at him through my nose. He quickly shakes off his urgency, face relaxing into something more mellow, but green eyes still alert, earnest…if a little bloodshot.

“Sorry, Professor. It’s just, I’ve got to take the donations out back…?” He hikes a thumb over his shoulder, taking a slow step back. “We can catch up later. Right?”

I study him for a moment, and then set my glass down on a server’s tray as they walk past. “Let me help.”

Panic flashes over my student’s face. He probably thinks he’s going to get into trouble for being stoned. Would it make him feel better knowing I have a gram of coke in my pocket?

Ezra’s brother has only been my TA for a few months, but I’ve taken a liking to him.

He’s smart—when he’s focused. Fortunately for him, he finds my class interesting enough that getting him to focus isn’t the chore it used to be with my previous assistants.

But there’s something about him I just can’t pinpoint.

He disappears into his own thoughts sometimes. Zoning out to the point where I can openly stare at him, and he doesn’t seem to notice.

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