Page 249 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 1
"Wait." Tyler put his hand on my elbow again. "Let's go get breakfast."
"You should probably still go to class."
"I'd rather hang out with you."
"Tyler..."
"If class really is canceled, then I'm never going to get to see you anymore. And I doubt that Professor Hunter will just let you hang out with me outside of class. We don't exactly get along."
I didn't want this to be the last time I ever saw Tyler. But what if he was right? Tyler was one of my best friends. I didn't want that to happen. "Tyler, we'll still get to hang out."
"Maybe. You're one of my best friends, Penny. I don't want to stop seeing you."
"You won't."I hope.I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. "But okay, yeah. I haven't eaten anyway."
He smiled. "I'm craving a bagel since we've been standing outside this bagel place." He pointed to the door. "How does that sound?"
"Fantastic." I followed him inside. I had never been there before, and I wasn't sure why. I loved bagels and it smelled amazing.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"We can just order separately."
"It's crowded, you can go find us a seat while I order."
"Umm...a cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese."
"And to drink?"
"Orange juice."
"Okay, go find us a seat." He walked over toward the counter. The place really was busy. I got us the last open table. It was tucked in the corner of the small restaurant, but somehow seemed kind of private.
My phone started buzzing again. It was a number I didn't recognize. I didn't want to answer it. If it was the dean it could wait. I didn't want to hear what he had to say. I didn't even understand why any of it mattered. The investigation wassuperficial. James had already quit. I just wanted all of this to go away.
Tyler placed two wrapped bagels down on the table along with two bottles of orange juice.
"Thanks, Tyler. Which one is yours?"
"I got the same thing as you." He grabbed one and tossed it at me.
"Thanks for skipping class for me."
"Thanks for getting class canceled indefinitely." He held up his bottle of orange juice.
I laughed and tapped mine against his.
He scratched the back of his neck. "At least there's one perk to you hooking up with our professor." He gave me a small smile and took a bite of his bagel.
I wanted to be able to laugh about all this with him. I wanted him to not look hurt when he joked around about it. But at least he was joking around. That was a good sign. I really just wanted to move past this. I wanted to go back to being friends. Despite what Melissa said, I really thought we could be just friends.
"Do you want to talk about that email?" he asked.
I shrugged.
"Have you heard anything about the investigation?"
"I was interviewed by two detectives last night. They said something about these other girls that claimed James...well, it doesn't matter. It was all nonsense. Either the detectives were lying or the girls or both."
