Page 248 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 1
"Yeah."
"Sweet. That must be nice."
"It is."
"So how are you doing? How's your head?"
"I'm fine. It really wasn't a big deal at all. I don't even feel it anymore." The bruise on my stomach was almost gone and I could easily cover up the stitches on my forehead if I didn't tuck my bangs behind my ears. "What about you? How's your nose?"
He laughed. "It still freaking hurts. Professor Hunter knows how to take a swing."
"I'm so sorry."
"Geez, it's fine." He laughed and put his hand on my shoulder for a second. "At least it looks better now."
"It does." The bruising in the corners of his eyes was gone. We locked eyes for a second, but I quickly looked away.
"And how's everything else?" he asked.
"Good. Well, weird, actually. There's all these news vans outside his place. And I feel like we have to sneak around even morethan before. It's just really frustrating. But things with James are good. We're in a really good place."
"Good."
We walked in awkward silence for a minute.
"How's Natalie?" I finally said.
"Good. We've just been hanging out. I don't think I'm looking for anything serious right now, you know?" He looked away from me again.
I pressed my lips together.Because of me?My phone buzzing in my pocket was a welcome distraction. I looked down at the screen. It was an email from Professor Nolan.
Penny,
Class is going to be canceled until further notice. You should be getting a call from Dean Vespelli soon. The investigation didn't go the way we all hoped it would. If I had any other information, I'd give it to you, but that is all the dean told me. I'll be making this announcement in class today because I only just found out a few minutes ago. But hopefully you see this before you come. I think it's best if you don't attend.
- Professor C. Nolan
I stopped in the middle of the sidewalk.
"Hey, Penny, are you okay?" Tyler turned around and walked back to me. He put his hand on my elbow. "Penny?"
"Yeah, actually, I think I'm just going to skip class today." I didn't want to talk about this with Tyler. I didn't want him tolook at me like I knew he would when I told him about the two other girls. Because they were lying. I believed James. This was such a mess.
"What are you talking about? You can't skip. We have to give our speeches today. You'll get an F if you don't show."
"Yeah, well..." I let my voice trail off.
"You asked me to stay in the class with you. I wanted to drop it. I did this for you. Come on, we're both going."
"I can't."
"Penny." Tyler smiled at me. "You don't have anything to worry about. I'll be right there with you."
"No, it's not that." I didn't know what else to do. I handed Tyler my phone.
He looked down at the email from Professor Nolan. "Oh."
"Yeah, so you should probably go so you can listen to what he has to say. I'm just going to head back."
