Page 23 of Forbidden Hearts
Still, I don’t understand why it bothers him that I work at The Den. He doesn’t even know me. To be honest, I am a little curious to see how he will prove the money is clean.
“Fine,” I say. “I’ll come up with an excuse for Jacob.”
The muscles around his mouth relax. His lips look like they’re about to smile, but instead he says, “Good. I’ll see you tonight.”
Chapter 11
Alex
Isabella’s friends are already waiting for us at the food court when we arrive. They sit at a table by the large windows facing the quad. A girl with pink highlights waves at Isabella, who waves back and points at me. One of her friends, a guy with blond spikey hair, nods and grabs an extra chair from a nearby table.
Isabella and I buy our lunch—I get a burger with a side of fries, and she gets a caesar salad—and join her friends.
“Everyone,” Isabella says as we sit at the table. “This is Alex. She’s in my figure drawing class. Alex, this is everyone. Liam, Gianna, and Abigail.”
She points at her friends as she calls their names.
Liam is the blond guy with spikey hair who got the extra chair.
Abigail is the girl with black hair and pink highlights. Half of her bangs are pink, half are black. She looks more in line with what I imagine an eccentric art major to look like. “You can just call me Abby,” she says.
Like Liam, Gianna has blonde hair and the brightest blue eyes I’ve ever seen, with freckles sprinkled over her nose and cheeks.
It’s been a long time since I have socialized with people my own age. Lately, most of my socialization comes in the form of unwanted advances from middle-aged reapers, so I’m out of practice.
I sit a little tense, occasionally taking small bites of my burger and watching them talk about art classes. From what I can gather, Gianna and Abby are sophomores. Liam must be a junior or senior because he’s already taken the classes the girls are taking this semester. He nostalgically recounts stories from his time in those classes.
“How did you all meet?” I wonder. Grade-wise, they’re all over the place, so I’m curious about how they met.
“We met on a Facebook group,” Isabella says. “Remember what I told you about Professor Alvarez? That’s where I heard about those rumors.”
“Rumors? You mean that he likes to sleep around with art girls with armpit hair?” Liam asks between sips of soda and laughs.
Abby shoves him, almost knocking the drink from his hand.
“Sorry if I offended anyone,” Liam says. “I’m just talking from personal experience.”
“So it’s true that Professor Alvarez likes to sleep around with students?” I ask. I wonder how many girls he’s slept with.
“It’s basically an open secret,” Abby says. “There are other rumors, too. Like hissize.”
“His size?” I ask, wondering if she’s referring to what I think she’s referring to.
“Don’t worry. I’m taking one of Professor Alvarez’s classes next semester. I’ll figure out if that rumor is true and report back my findings,” Gianna says with a smirk.
“Oh my God,” Isabella shakes her head.
“Oh, right,” Liam says. “Alex, do us a favor and cover Isabella’s virgin ears.”
“Shut up, Liam,” Isabella says, glowing bright red. She rolls her eyes and stabs her fork into her salad. They have only known each other for a few weeks and already speak like they’ve known each other since forever. Must be an art major thing.
“So what do you think, Alex?” Liam asks. “Is he as hot as all the girls say?”
“Um,” I say. I don’t want to tell them what I really think—that Alonzo is a gorgeous man with a hot body because I don’t want to be the center of attention. So I just deflect. “Well, I can see why some girls would find him attractive.”
“He’s not your type?” Liam asks, leaning back in his chair. “Whatisyour type?”
“Give it a break, Liam,” Abby says. “You’re gonna scare her away.”