Page 11 of Glass Jawed
Just enough to make sure she sees me coming.
FOUR
Aarohi
Nope.
He is absolutelynotwalking toward me. Keep walking.
I reach the main campus cafeteria with Katie and Akshat in tow, pretending—trying—to focus on what they’re saying. But I can feel his presence behind me. His gaze. Wrapping around me like a fog of shame I can’t shake off.
“...group project. We could look into the healthcare industry here,” Akshat says, snapping me back into the conversation.
“Does it have to be Canadian healthcare?” Katie chimes in. “Finding a pain point in the U.S. system would be easier.”
I track Lucian’s steady approach from the corner of my eye. But I can’t check out of this conversation—this project is almost 20% of our final grade.
“I, uh...” I clear my throat. “I worked on contract with a U.S. telehealth company. We could use that as a base example.”
“Oh, you mean that mental health startup, right?” Katie says. I nod as she continues, “That could work. Let’s grab drinks on King Street and brainstorm?”
He’s here.
Shit. He’s almost here.
Katie’s eyes widen slightly at his approach. She catches herself quickly, straightening up just as I turn to face the nightmare.
“Mr. Vale. That was a great introduction,” she says politely, offering her hand.
“Lucian, please,” he replies, shaking it. “And thank you. I’ve rarely stood in front of a hundred students since my university days. I thought I left that life behind.”
His smile is polite, warm. Even charming.
Toocharming.
“MBA from Ivey, right?” Akshat asks.
Lucian chuckles. “Yeah... don’t remind me.”
Then his eyes flick to me. Brief, but charged. He turns back to Katie. “I really liked your question...”
“Katie Voss,” she offers.
“Ah. Sorry I missed the roll call.”
I snort. Out loud.
Instant regret.
Way to grab attention from the one person you never wanted it from again, dumbass.
I can feel his gaze shift to me now, focused and unrelenting. I force a smile, trying to recover.
“It’s a Master’s program, Mr. Vale. We don’t really do roll calls.”
He quirks a brow—amused? Apprehensive?
“And what would your name be?” His voice is smooth, but there’s something underneath. Something pointed. “I noticed you didn’t ask a single question.”
