Page 125 of Silk Sheets

Relief washed over me, and my mom’s face twisted into something mischievous. I narrowed my eyes, patiently waiting in suspicion.

“Or I could just call Kaden,” she casually said, flicking her hair over her shoulder and my eyebrows lifted at the mention of his name. I swallowed hard, nodding.

He’d been a tremendous help throughout the entire process, and I could tell my mom was starting to like him.

“Oh my God,” she laughed, throwing her head back. “Do I need to beg you for the truth?”

“The truth?”

“You. Kaden. Together?”

“Oh—mom, no,” I immediately shook my head, laying back down. “It’s not like that.”

“Sweetheart, it might not be, but a man doesn’t act or react the way he does if he doesn’t feel somethingstrongfor a woman.”

“Mom,” I pinned her with a look.

“Dakota, I’m your mother,” she sternly said, getting up. “You can’t lie to me,” she practically sang and headed into the kitchen. “But,” she yanked open the refrigerator door. “If you’re not ready to tell me, I won’t force it out of you,” she looked back at me over her shoulder.I really wish I could tell you, mom…

* * *

Shit, shit, shit.

Scurrying down the hallway, I took a sharp left and then rushed into the classroom. My eyes snapped down to my wrist, and a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Two minutes to spare.

I smiled, lifting my head to Logan’s desk, but he wasn’t there.

I glanced around the classroom, and my eyes landed on Solace. She raised her arm high, waving at me. I headed over, greeting Darnell on my way.

“Who are you, and what have you done to my best friend?” Solace asked since I was on time for once.

I playfully rolled my eyes, sitting down beside her.

“I think we’ll have to grill the hell out of Professor Hale for being late,” she leaned in to whisper.

I had come straight from the apartment to campus this morning. Logan would have let me know if he wasn’t going to be in today, if that were the case, so I’m guessing that he’s just very late.

Everybody got so lost in conversation that we barely realized that Logan still hadn’t gotten here almost thirty minutes in.

“Okay, now I’m officially concerned,” Daisy rushed over, crouching down between us.

My brows pinched together. “What’s going on—”

“Shh!” Daisy immediately cut me off. “Quiet. Come closer,” she signaled us lower. Solace and I cast each other a confused glance but lowered ourselves to Daisy’s level, nonetheless.What piece of gossip is floating around now?

“Miss Dakota King?”

I immediately snapped upright, looking in the direction of the classroom door. Hesitantly, I lifted my hand to see Professor Madeline smiling at me. “Please, come with me,” she motioned toward the door, and I grabbed my things, leaving the classroom with one final glance back at a worried Daisy and Solace.

Madeline closed the classroom door behind herself and hesitantly approached me. “I’m going to need you to make your way to the dean’s office, sweetie. Right now.”

I swallowed hard in uncertainty, nodding with a smile.The dean’s office? Have I done something? Stolen something? Lied? Cheated on a test? Oh my God, Dakota, you did none of those things and you know that.

Professor Madeline slipped back into the classroom, and I made my way to the dean’s office. I had no idea what this could be about. I’d say I was a fairly well behaved student.

I knocked then entered her office, and she sat idly behind her desk, dressed in her usual pantsuit. Her black curls were pulled into a neat bun, and her black rimmed glasses rested on the bridge of her nose.

I glanced around.There are way too many pot plants in here. This office could pass as a greenhouse.