Page 17 of Love, Academically
Could he be any more annoyed? It’s not like shemadethe leaves slipperier than a thousand banana skins.
“How are you so strong? Is this all the kickboxing?” she asked, as he jostled her in his arms.
“Yeah, not that strong. Can you hold on or something?” Rhys frowned, glancing at her. “You’re not heavy,” he said quickly, “but you’re a dead weight if you don’t hold on.”
Lila smiled. He was so awkward, so aware of his own perceived shortcomings. She slipped her arms around his neck and held on for dear life. He was a strange mixture of minty shampoo and cedar aftershave. It shouldn’t really go together, but it did, and it suited him. His strong jaw was covered in a slight dark stubble, and his dusky eyelashes were thick and full.
“What?” he said, flicking his eyes to her.
“I’m just looking at you. Who knew your eyes were more hazel than chocolate brown?” She grinned.
“Okay, whatever.” But there was a flush to his cheeks. She supposed that could have been from the cold, the exertion, or a particularly bad lunchtime taco.
Students scattered from their path, looking on with comical stares. Some of them snapped photos or videos on their phones, but Lila didn’t care. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she wouldeverhave her Richard Gere moment, even if her ankle was throbbing painfully.
“It’s likeAn Officer and a Gentleman, Rhys! Do you have a hat?” She laughed, throwing her head back.
“I obviously don’t have a hat. Can you stop wriggling?”
Lila pressed her lips together to keep a smile inside. It was ridiculously fun, being carried through the university withUp Where We Belongstreaming through her head. Rhys probably wouldn’t appreciate her bursting into song.
He looked less than impressed, his jaw clenched and his hazel eyes fixed ahead.
“You don’t have to carry me, you know,” she said as they passedthe Engineering Department. Although she didn’t mind in the slightest.
“How else are you going to get anywhere?” His voice was stern, and his eyes singularly focused straight ahead of them. “You’ll need to call your manager – who is it? Sue?”
“Why?”
He flicked his eyes to her, those eyebrows drawn neatly together. “Because you have to go to the hospital.”
“What? No, I don’t.” She tapped him on a muscular shoulder. “Rhys, just put me down.”
“Fine.” He stopped and lowered her slowly to the ground. “Go on then, walk.”
Lila wobbled, and braced her good leg, throwing her arms out wide to keep her balance. He was all challenging and confident, so sure that she wouldn’t be able to move. Well, she’d show his arrogant conker tush.
“Fine,” she echoed, and put her foot gingerly on the floor. It would be okay if she didn’t put her heel down and if she just hopped a bit, surely? She took a couple of pathetic steps. Good lord, she needed some painkillers. The pain shooting up the side of her calf was not a featherlight tickle. She grabbed his shoulder for support.
“See, Rhys, it’s fine,” she whimpered.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Lila,” he said. “Get your phone out and call Sue. I’ll take you to the hospital.”
“Rhys, it’s fine” she said. “I’ll get a taxi, or call Maddy.” Or, more likely, wait until Jasmeet was finished and could come and get her after school.
“Stop, Lila. You cannot walk.” His voice was louder than it had been, and his lip curled in frustration. “Call Sue. Now.”
“You are so bossy, Rhys Aubrey-Dallmore,” she grumbled, dragging her phone out of her pocket.
“It’s Dall-i-more, not Dallmore,” he snapped. “I’ve corrected you three times now.”
Everything about him was tense and taut, and a tiny vein was pulsing frantically in his temple. That flush across his cheeks had dropped into a deep red, and he’d indignantly forced his shoulders down and chin up. God, she knew exactly how his students felt – lower than maggots. More like amoebas on maggots. Her stomach was hollow and her mouth dry, but he was expecting a reply.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Rhys. Sorry,” she mumbled.
He’d told herrepeatedly, and she hadrepeatedlygot his name wrong. She’d been concentrating on not slipping (didn’t do a great job), and trying to take in everything else he was saying about needing a fake girlfriend and ‘Dallimore’ just hadn’t stuck in her head.
He sighed and passed a hand across his chin and his face softened. Was that a bit of contrition?
