Page 50 of Forbidden Professor

“Well, that sucks.”

“I failed a test. Well, just a small pop quiz, actually. But I lied to him about it and he apparently found out. He’s probably about to pop a vein in his forehead because I’m not picking up the phone right now.”

“I see,” he says. He tightens his embrace and keeps his voice low. “That must be so hard for you.”

“It is!” I agree. “I’m looking into alternate funding so I can untangle myself from him.”

“That’s very brave of you. And smart.”

“Thanks,’ I say, with a sigh. Just having someone listen to me is such a relief. Carter kisses the top of my head and we stay like that for a few minutes before he gently untangles himself.

“I’m going to go. I think it’s obvious this isn’t the right time for this to happen. I certainly don’t want you thinking of your father while we’re making out.”

I roll my eyes and add another entry to the list of reasons to hate my father.

I walk Carter to the door with a heavy heart. I feel like I’ve been on a fucking roller-coaster. Saying goodbye to him and watching him get in his car and drive away is excruciating.

We came so close.

So fucking close.

I close the door, hating my life.

ChapterTwenty-One

Eve

I stare at my phone.My father’s words still echo in my head. The screen glows like it’s accusing me as my fingers hover over the keys. I want to type something that would make him proud, but the words won’t come. The familiar weight of disappointment presses on my chest. It’s hard to breathe.

A knock pulls me from my thoughts. I look up. Carter stands in the doorway, his warm brown eyes full of concern.

“Everything okay, Eve?” His voice is soft and steady.

I try to smile, but it feels fake. “Just my dad being my dad.”

Carter steps into the room. His presence calms me. He sits on the edge of the bed, his subtle cologne reaching me.

“Want to talk about it?” he asks.

I shake my head. “Not really. I just wish I could escape for a while.”

His eyes brighten with an idea. “That’s good. I have an adventure planned, if I can pry you out of this house.”

I raise a brow. “What kind of adventure?”

“It’s a surprise,” he says, grinning. “But it will help you forget. You in?”

I glance at my phone. Yeah, there is no way that I’m going to fix things between me and my dad this afternoon.

“You know what? I’m in.” The words spill out, unbidden.

Carter grins wider. “Great. Grab a jacket, some hiking boots, a water bottle, and some trail mix. We’re leaving in ten.”

As I start pulling together the things he listed, I feel a spark of anticipation. It’s not just the idea of an adventure. It’s him. He always seems to know just what I need. For the first time since my dad’s call, I can breathe.

I swap my loungewear for stretchy yoga pants and a hoodie. Nerves hum through me, but Carter clears my mind like no one else. When I step out of my room, he is waiting, keys in hand. His eyes have a mischievous glint.

“Ready to escape?”

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