Page 9 of Broken Princess

“If you want to get out of your life study class, then you need to postpone taking it until the fall.”

“The other section can’t be full, or maybe someone wants to swap out with me.” I say, offering him a solution to what he’s trying to make a problem.

He peers at me over the rim of his glasses. “Professor Hudson was supposed to teach the class, but he’s currently on a leave of absence because he failed to properly supervise the submissions for the art symposium.” He lets that hang in the air like a bad fart, while shuffling papers on his desk. “There is no other class being offered this semester. So, as I said, you can drop the class and take it in the fall.”

I can’t do that, because that would put me behind next spring. As my advisor, he knows that. Just like he knows there’s no way in hell I can afford to add another class to my plate, or come to campus in the summer. “Fine. I’ll keep the schedule I have.”

“Excellent idea.”

On the walk to my dorm, I decide I need to come up with a plan to exorcise Jordanna from my mind once and for all. I reverse course, heading back the way I came, taking the trail that leads to the cafe. To make this happen, I’m going to need some props.

Once inside the coffee shop, I scan its occupants for someone who can assist me.Unknowingly, of course. I need their reaction to be genuine, not played over the top to draw suspicion. Amber’s sitting in a corner wearing a cute pair of UGG boots and skinny jeans. Her hair is in two pigtails. All that’s missing is a cowboy hat, and she’d be the life-size model of cowgirl barbie. When I reach her, I lean forward, bracing my hands on the table. “How’s it going, Amber?”

“Uh, good.”

“What are you doing over here all by yourself?”

She points to the textbook in front of her. “Studying for a quiz.”

I twist my lips into a smile. “I guess I’ll let it slide then.”

“Let what slide?”

“You deciding to sit here in the corner all alone, instead of at my table with me.”

She looks over to where I usually sit. “Uh…”

I can see she’s nervous. She’s probably trying to gauge if my attention is putting her on the starting block for another game. I sit beside her, draping my arm across the back of the booth, toying with the hair on the nape of her neck. “Your neck is so long and elegant. The perfect dimensions for modeling.” She tilts her head, exposing more of her neck to me. “And these cute ears. I bet you’ve already got a bunch of headshots don’t you?”

“Uh, no. Not really.”

“You should. You’re stunning. I could take them for you, if you wanted.”

She stiffens, moving away from me.

“Oh. I get it. You don’t like me.”

“No. That’s not it. I do like you.”

“You do?”

“Yeah. Sure I do.”

“Then how come you’re not sitting at my table with me?”

She shrugs a shoulder. “I didn’t know I was invited.”

“Didn’t know you were invited?” I frown, looking behind me at my friends. “I thought for sure one of them had mentioned I was hoping to hang out with you today.”

“You were?”

“Of course. I mean, if you wanted to. No pressure or anything. I’dneverpressure a woman into doing anything she didn’t want.” I brush her cheek with the back of my hand. “Amber,wouldyou like to hang out with me today?”

Her head bobs up and down. “Sure. Of course I would.”

I push her book closed, scooping it up in my hand, and stroll across the room, not bothering to check if she’s following. I know she is. There’s no reason for her not to.

I ignore the knowing smirk from Frankie, the eye roll from Bella, and the eyebrow raise from Tabitha as I take my seat. I nudge Hal to move over, making room for Amber. Getting her to do what I want won’t be hard, because in the span of five minutes, I’ve got her willing to overlook the shit I did to Jordanna. I’m sure between the time it took us to walk from her table to mine, she’s already rationalized it in her head that somehow Jordanna deserved to be humiliated and that I was the injured party.

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