Page 8 of Love, Academically
She heard him huff behind her. Jasmeet’s eyebrows flew up her forehead so quickly it was a surprise they didn’t fly off her head.
“Dan, this is Miss Cartwright,” Rhys said stiffly.
“Rhys, how many times? Lila, Li-la,” she said, enunciating each syllable.
“Lila Cartwright. Oh, I see,” Dan said, exchanging a knowing glance with Jasmeet.
So, Rhys had been discussing his obvious dislike of her with his friend who just happened to work at the University as well? Just brilliant.
Her smile turned taut. “Are you going to sit down, or just stand there like a lemon?”
“Fine.” Rhys scowled, sliding his large frame onto the stool next to her and taking a swig of his beer. He’d changed into a dark, well-fitting shirt, rolled up his really rather non-academically muscular forearms, and chinos that hugged his legs.
Jasmeet gave her a smirk, which meant that she had somehow managed to check out Rhys’s arse and yes, it was a delicious, round little peach.
Dan turned to Jasmeet, leaning close, and she practically swooned. Lila rolled her eyes in frustration. Yes, she knew that Jasmeet would probably meet someone (because who wouldn’t want her – she was beautiful), but so early on in the night? And when Rhys was sitting next to her, frowning at his friend? He was probably having exactly the same thoughts as she was.
If Jasmeet and Dan were going to be gazing into each other’s eyes all night in some kind of mating ritual, then she was going to have to talk to Rhys, or just sit there like a lemon, staring into space.
Lila turned to him. “So, Rhys. Good night?”
Rhys shrugged his broad shoulders. “Yeah, fine. Just didn’t really want to come here.”
“Look, you’re not the first person that I would have chosen tospend my evening with either, but here we are,” she said bitterly, taking a small sip of her wine. Gosh, that shot had gone straight to her head.
“No, I didn’t mean that.” He frowned at her. “Dan wanted to come here. I prefer somewhere less,” he cast around for the right word, “people-y.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude, I’ve had a shot.” As if that was an excuse. “Boys’ night out?”
“Kind of, we haven’t caught up for ages, and Dan really likes the cocktails here. Although I’m not sure he cares about them tonight.” Rhys nodded at Jasmeet and Dan, sitting close in flirtatious conversation.
“Looks like we’ve both lost our friends,” Lila said, despondently.
Another sip of wine, and a beat of silence between them in the loud room. Lila straightened. She would have a good night if it killed her, and if she had to drag Rhys along for the ride, then so be it. Anyway, perhaps Rhys Aubrey wasn’t as haughty as she thought. Only one way to find out.
“Tell me, Rhys, what do you do for fun?”
“Research Henry II,” he said immediately.
“I mean for fun fun. Not for work fun.”
“Work is fun, that’s why I do it. It’s fun.” Was that a little blush she saw creeping up under his rather snugly fitting navy shirt? Was he embarrassed? It hadn’t gone unnoticed by Lila the way his chinos hugged his rather thick thighs, and the way his hair was deliciously dishevelled. No, it would do no good to notice how attractive Rhys’s jaw was. “Well, not all of work is fun.”
He met her eyes and raised his eyebrows. No, it would appear he did not enjoy every aspect of work at all, and she smiled.
“Dan and I do kickboxing. Does that count?” Rhys said, directing the conversation away from work.
“Yes, that counts. Wow, kickboxing?” That’s why his arselooked so firm. Yes, definitely hard. More like a conker than soft like a peach. “So, you could fell a giant with a few well-placed kicks?”
“Yeah, perhaps.” His eyebrow creased, amused.
Her phone buzzed urgently on the table, and Lila snatched it up.
“Maddy, what’s the matter, you can’t be home already?” She waved her hand at Jasmeet to get her attention and mouthed ‘Maddy’, pointing to her phone.
“No, I’m fine, my Uber’s nearly here.” The words rushed out. “I’ve just seen Jason and that skank getting out of a taxi and they are heading into the bar. Right now.”
Lila deflated even more. This was the worst girls’ night ever.
