Page 41 of Wrong For Me

I stare at her in disbelief. “Because I didn’t do what you wanted me to, is that it?”

The idea that she’s pissed I didn’t sign that damn NDA sends a fresh wave of irritation through me. She blinks a few times, the anger on her face quickly giving way to something that looks a lot more like sadness. Or maybe it’s hurt.

“You’re right,” she whispers, her voice defeated. Something about that tone doesn’t sit right with me. I don’t like the idea of spirited, feisty Rose feeling defeated. In spite of my own hurt and anger, I have the ridiculous urge to pull her into my arms, to comfort her.

Which is completely insane considering the fact that we’re discussing the wayshetreated me like shit over the summer.

“You don’t owe me anything,” she continues. And why in the hell do I feel a stab of disappointment at those words? “I just hope we can both be professional while we’re working together. This position means a lot to me.”

I nod, that weird disappointment still twinging in my chest. “Me too.”

She looks up at me with those big blue eyes. “So we’re on the same page.”

I nod, throat tight. “We are.”

She lets out a sigh. I can’t tell if it’s relieved or wistful. And I can’t decide why I should care. “Good. We can divvy up the office hours we’ll each host for Hernandez’s students over email.”

Do not feel excited about the prospect of her emailing you,I tell my stupid, masochistic heart. But I can’t stop myself from stepping into the doorway after she leaves the office so I can watch her walk away.

* * *

“You okay?”

I tear my eyes away from the nearly full bowl of Raman in front of me to see Bodhi peering at me from across the table, his own bowl empty. Apparently, he finished eating while I was zoning out.

“I’m fine,” I tell him, running a hand over the back of my stiff neck in an attempt to relieve some of the tension I’ve been feeling ever since the car disaster this morning. Tension that got much, much worse after a certain blue-eyed blonde showed up to ruin my semester.

“You’ve barely said a word since I picked you up from campus.”

“Because I’m usually such a sparkling conversationalist?” I attempt to joke, but it doesn’t even earn me a smile.

“You’re not eating, either. Are you worried about the car situation? Because I can—”

“No,” I say quickly, knowing he’s about to offer me some kind of favor I’ll feel too guilty to take. “I called your guy, he said it’s probably the alternator. He can have the part in this week. No biggie.” Paying for it will be another matter.

Bodhi’s forehead wrinkles. “Is it school?”

I release a breath. I should just tell him. He’s going to find out anyhow—it’s impossible to keep a secret from Bodhi.

“I got a pretty big surprise today,” I mutter, poking at my cheap pasta. “Turns out one of the other profs went on early maternity leave. Which gives Hernandez a few extra sections to teach—and a second grad student to work with.”

“She’s going to have two TAs? So, you’ll be like, what? Sharing the work?” At my jerky nod he lets out a low whistle. “Yeah, I can see how that would be an adjustment for a workaholic control freak like you.”

I shake my head. “Dude. That isn’t the half of it. The other TA isRose.” He just sits there for a long moment, watching me without saying a word. “Rose Ransome,” I finally grit out, when it’s obvious he isn’t grasping the fuckedupness of the situation. “Rose Ransome is Hernandez’s second TA.”

His eyes widen. “Rose Ransome. Daltrey Ransome’s daughter.” I give a jerky nod but he keeps going. “Like, the girl you hooked up with in Lake Tahoe? The girl who totally wrecked you this summer and turned you into an even grumpier bastard than you usually are?”

“Thanks for the recap,” I mutter, pushing my bowl away. The noodles are probably cold by now, and I have little interest in eating anymore.

“Holy shit, dude,” Bodhi goes on. “Did you see her? Did you talk to her?”

“Of course I saw and talked to her. We’re sharing a damn office.”

Something twitches in his expression and I narrow my eyes. “What?”

“Nothing,” he says quickly. When I don’t drop my glare, he continues. “You’ve just been so excited about that office. You’ve been talking about it for months. How you wouldn’t have to deal with people annoying you in the library anymore. That office was supposed to be your anti-social hideaway dream come true. And now you’re sharing it with a chick you banged.”

“And you think that’s funny? Nice, Bodhi.” I level him with a glare. “And don’t talk about Rose like that.”