Page 31 of The Professor's Possession (Crystal River Billionaire Brothers)

“You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”

I nod. “Yeah. I do. Thanks, Ava.”

“So, you just went home?” she asks.

Well, maybe I should let her in on a few details...

“I actually went to the gym,” I say. “After the party.”

Ava’s mouth hangs open. “The gym? As in...thegym? The college one?”

“Yeah, the building with weights and treadmills.Thatgym.”

“Didn’t I just say that you’re the crazy one, Olivia? Should I call the hospital now to get you carried away in a straitjacket? Going to the gym at freakingmidnight?”

“I like to go when there’s a chance no one else is around,” I explain. “Clear my head and all that.”

Ava shakes her head. “Well, at least I know where to find you late at night if you’re not in here reading.”

“Yep. It’s very likely I’d be at the gym.”

“Are you sure everything’s okay?” Ava asks again. “You look tired.”

“Yeah,” I reply, lying. “Everything is perfectly fine.”

And I take another bite of the croissant.

After that strange interaction with my professor last night, everything is very muchnotfine.

15

OLIVIA

Oh,shit. I am going to be so freaking late.

I run through the doors of the main college building - my backpack flying wildly around on my shoulder - as I mutter a whole load of curse words that would make my mother blush if she could hear me.

Turns out that not sleeping all night would mean I would be very, very tired. And would mean that I might drasticallyoversleepthe next night.

Huh. Who knew? Certainly not me.

After the events of Saturday night in the college gym and my restless sleeping pattern over the weekend, I’ve now slept through my Monday morning alarm like a total idiot.

And so I’m going to be late for class.

And not just any class. Professor Penmayne’s English Lit class.

I woke in a panic and literally ran out the door. I haven’t even showered or eaten or anything.

Oh, shit. Oh, shit. Oh, shit.

I sprint down the hallways of CRU until I reach the lecture hall I’m looking for. I open the doors and stroll straight in.

Everything is silent. I have interrupted the lecture like a bus crashing through a brick wall.

Oh. Shit.

The room is full of students. My eyes scan the rows for any empty seats.

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