Page 123 of A Beastologist's Field Notes of Fated Affection
“What!” I shrieked.
My presentation was at nine thirty. And it took twenty minutes to get to the university by foot. I could call for a carriage, but that would take too long to arrive.
Liam sat up, watching me warily as I tucked a button-up into my skirt and tried to smooth my hair. There was no time for makeup or anything else. I sat on the bed, pulling on my boots, when hands landed on my shoulders, starting to massage me.
“Stay calm. It’ll be all right.”
I shrugged him off and stood. “No. It won’t be all right, Liam. I’m going to be late. They won’t take me seriously and I won’t get this grant.”
“Just tell them you accidentally slept in. It’ll be fine.”
“It won’t be—” I was interrupted when my phone rang.
I hurried down the hall, picking it up. “This is Cerise,” I said, out of breath.
“Doctor Thornheart.” It was one of the professors from the grant approval committee. “I was just calling to check in. We’ve been waiting on you. Is everything all right?”
“Waiting on me?” I checked the time again. Nine twentyeight. “I do apologize. I had a late night. I’m leaving the house right now.”
“Your presentation was at nine, Doctor Thornheart.”
I froze. No it wasn’t. I was sure of it. “I was informed it was at nine-thirty.”
A disappointed sigh. “We moved it due to a scheduling conflict. Did you not receive the notice? We sent a note to your office yesterday.”
I hadn’t gone into the office yesterday because Liam was here and I didn’t have any classes to teach. “Oh.” My voice sounded small. “No, I didn’t receive it. I am so incredibly sorry. I can be there in twenty minutes.”
“I’m afraid it’s too late. We only had room for one research project…”
“What are you saying?” I whispered.
Liam was up, still shirtless, but had pants on and watched me with concern from his place against the wall in the hallway.
“I’m saying we’ve already chosen the research proposal we would like to fund.”
“But you haven’t even heard mine yet.” I tried to keep my voice steady as tears threatened to spill down my face.
“I know. But we need someone committed to this project. And lately…well, to be honest, you haven’t been yourself. And now you missed the presentation. It’s not a good look. We can’t support that.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat, nodding, though he couldn’t see. “All right. I understand.”
“We’ll be funding Doctor Crowley’s proposal.”
“He has a very good project. I’m sure you won’t regret the decision.” The lie tasted like ash on my tongue.
“Cerise…I’m sorry.”
“Thank you, sir. I’ll talk to you later.”
I hung up the phone and stared at the wall. I had no words for what had just happened. I had ruined my chances; failed for the first time in my life.
And it was devastating.
“Cerise,” Liam whispered so quietly, I almost didn’t hear him. “Are you all right?”
No. I wasn’t all right. I was heartbroken. And embarrassed. And angry. Because of course a man got the grant. And of all people it had to be him. One of the rudest, most arrogant men I had ever worked with. His proposal wasn’t even good. It wouldn’t help with invasive species and the environment the way mine would.
So no, I was not okay. I was livid.
