Page 38 of Lodged

Once we get to my place and everyone is settled, we order pizza and wings and spend the night playing Risk and Pandemic—two of the games Luca, Isa, and I used to play growing up. After several hours of playing, and no end in sight for Risk world domination, we all seem to resign collectively.

“I know we just spent a million hours on a plane, but I’m tired. Is it okay if we call it a night?” Isa asks as she gets up from the couch, yawning and stretching her arms.

“Yeah, I’m tired too. Let’s go,guachito,” Karina says, extending her hand to Luca. They both head to their room after saying good night.

“It’s an early morning tomorrow, so rest as much as you can. It’ll be cold, so dress accordingly,” I tell Isa after walking with her to her room. After a good night hug, I go to my room and fall asleep, as well.

“Good morning, Dr. Bianchi. Are you ready?” Vicente greets me outside the arena as we gather together before taking our seats for the ceremony. I hug him, then move to hug Gabo.

“I heard Raleigh wasn’t good enough, and you both decided to have a night in the Big Apple?” I say in a teasing tone, and Vicente rolls his eyes.

“Kari will never let us forget that one. I just wanted to party, you know? It’s not like we’re on this side of the pond every weekend,” Vicente explains, and I laugh.

“Yeah, we’re each other’s wingmen. I’m not sure why she’s so ruffled up by it. She’s already married,” Gabo says, and I point at him.

“That’s exactly why she feels left out. It doesn’t matter that she’s happily married to Luca, you’ll always be her bros.” They both shake their heads, but I know they get it now.

“Professor Bianchi?” I hear my favorite voice, and I freeze. I turn around, and Ruin is there, with a small gift bag in her hands.

“Hey, I wasn’t sure you were coming,” I say, feeling awkward as hell. I can’t hug or kiss her, let alone introduce her to my family. There are tons of people around us.

“I wasn’t going to miss my favorite teacher’s graduation,” she says, and Vicente whistles, which causes her beautiful creamy skin to turn the prettiest shade of pink. “I’m sorry, I just wanted to give you this. Congratulations.” She hands me the gift bag and smiles at me. Then she turns around to leave. I try to stop her, but my arm freezes midway—I know it’s not smart. Just one more week, and I finally get to be with her everywhere.

“Who was that?” Gabo asks as Ruin vanishes in the crowd.

“One of my students,” I answer, trying to sound unaffected.

“A student, my ass. She had heart eyes for you,” Vicente says as he smacks his hand on my chest.

“Not here.” It’s all I say before I pocket her present in my gown.

“Oh. Oh. I know! Isn’t that?” Vicente starts to talk, but I give him a glare, and he snickers—the bastard.

“I’ll see you all after the ceremony,” I tell them as I make my way to find my seat.

As I sit down next to some of my classmates and fellow doctoral students, a strange feeling invades me. I’m so close to finishing such a monumental chapter of my life. I came to the United States pursuing a dream—to become a Doctor ofPhilosophy—and I’m about to fulfill it. I guess part of what I’m feeling is pride—pride in completing a five-year degree—but at the same time, there’s fear. Fear of the unknown, of what comes next. Sometimes I feel guilty for feeling this way. Life has been more than generous to me. I have no rational basis to feel afraid or anxious. I have everything I could ever dream of. Technically, I don’t even need a job, I could easily live off of my investments for the rest of my life, but I’m only twenty-nine years old. I’m too young to retire. I don’t want to get a job because of my billionaire status; I want a university to hire me because of my capabilities as a researcher and as an educator.

Ugh, the life of the rich and famous.

As I wonder about what my next step would be, I take a look at the crowd that came today to celebrate all of our accomplishments. I’m hoping to catch a particular shade of red hair, but there are too many people. I hope she’s still out there and realizes she made my day just by being here.

Chapter 17

Gio Bianchi

Today is the day. It’s eight o’clock on a cold, frigid December morning, and I’m about to hitsendto confirm all of my students’ grades. One click, and I’m officially done being Ruin’s teacher. One click, and I get to claim her in front of everyone.

After hittingsendand making sure the grades have posted in the university system, I send her a text.

Gio: Good morning, sweetheart. What time are you done?

Ruin: Good morning, Blue. I have my last exam at ten in the morning, then I’m free.

Gio: Have you packed yet?

Ruin: Yes, but it’d be so much easier if you told me where we are going.

I smile at the screen. I love surprising her. I’m taking her to New York. Vicente and Gabo were talking about how much fun they had, and I can’t wait to take my small-town girl to the big city.

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