Page 61 of Campus Crush
My dad’s shoulders stiffened. Subtle. But I knew that tic. He was pissed.
“Parker,” he said slowly, “I respect your commitment to mentoring, but I’d prefer if your intern didn’t learn hands-on withmyproject.”
The whole room went silent.
I hated the way Abby’s face blanched. Even Parker looked slightly taken aback, although he recovered much faster than she did. Which I only knew because he was the one who spoke first.
But my gaze was still stuck on Abby.
Sometimes she was hard to read, but right now a range of emotions flitted across her eyes—shame, anger, embarrassment, and then the one I hated the most, doubt.
I knew too well what it was like to be on the other side of my father’s heartlessness.
I didn’t want that for her.
How dare he put that look on her face. How dare he make her doubt how fucking amazing she was.
“I assure you, Miss Walker is quite adept at her job,” Parker said. “And although she’s an intern, she’s the best intern we’ve ever had. She even outpaces some of our associates with her work ethic. I’d hire her on the spot if she wasn’t in school full-time. But if you would prefer an associate to oversee this, then I will respect your wishes.”
“I’m sure Annie is fine, but?—”
“Her name is Abby,” I said, my anger coming through loud and clear. When I looked at my dad, it was with daggers in my eyes. “Her name isAbby,” I said again. “And she’s the smartest person at CFU. By insulting her, you’re insulting your alma mater.”
I knew the only thing that would get through my dad’s misogyny was his own love of his alma mater.
Parker’s eyes lit up like he was biting back a smile, while my dad turned to face me, fire in his gaze and his cheeks slightly flushed. But he didn’t say anything to me, just like I knew he wouldn’t.
He’d never let the rest of the world see the devil he hid inside.
“Well. This has been…informative. We’ll review the folder with our people and circle back. Sound good?”
“Sounds good,” Parker said. “I’ll show you out.”
They stood and headed for the door, but I stayed behind.
Abby was already gathering the packets, her movements efficient but quiet. I reached out, placing my hand gently over hers.
“Hey, you okay?”
She didn’t look up right away. “I’m fine.”
Then she did—and the second our eyes met, my chest loosened just a little.
“Thank you,” she said softly. “For defending me. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I did,” I said. “He was being a dick.”
A ghost of a smile curved her lips. Not the full one I loved, but it was still beautiful. I was starting to think that there wasn’t a single thing I didn’t find attractive about this girl.
“I should get back to work,” she said. “But I’ll see you tonight?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
She gave me one last look before slipping out of the conference room, her fingers brushing mine for half a second on the way out. Just long enough to short-circuit my entire brain.
I let out a breath and raked a hand through my hair, trying to get my heartbeat back under control.
Somehow I’d walked into this meeting thinking I’d be bored out of my mind and walked out even more obsessed with my girlfriend.
