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I drifted through work, distracted and tired. What was Beckett doing tonight? There were a ton of parties on campus to take full advantage of the excuse to dress up and go wild. I wouldn’t be going to any. Isabelle had tried to get me to stay with her and go to a frat party, but I’d wiggled out of it. I couldn’t take a crowd or drinking right now. I’d probably cry.
Instead, I worked and felt sorry for myself. Last night with Beckett played on repeat in my mind.
We both know that this isn’t the end for us, Eve. It’s just our beginning.
If I was honest with myself, I wanted that sentiment to be true. I wanted it badly.
I was lost in thought when the conversation my chatty coworker was having with the line cook permeated my brain fog.
“No, I mean, like she was attacked… She’s in the hospital. It was right on campus, too, near the library.”
Near the library?The Hellions’ dorms were near there.
I tuned in to the conversation.
The line cook, Eddie, banged down his heavy frying pan. “Someone needs to catch this guy and teach him a lesson. How many girls is that now?”
“Like, ten. It’s so scary. The police have no idea who it is, and campus security sucks. The guy wears a cap and mask, apparently, so none of the victims have ever seen his face.”
A louddingfrom the front called my attention. My manager slamming the tiny bell to get a waitress out from the back. I hurried through.
“Martino, table five,” Gary called and answered the ringing phone.
I took my order pad and headed for table five, the news about the campus attacks ringing in my ears.
“Welcome to The Chickadee, how can I help you?” I asked.
“One of Hade Harbor’s greasiest tuna melts, please.”
I looked up and met Professor Jefferies’ eyes. Great, just what this day needed.
“Good evening, Miss Martino. Happy Fall Fest.”
“Thanks. Would you like a drink with the tuna melt?” I had nothing to say to this man.
He studied me for a moment. “Just a coffee, thanks, black.”
“Coming right up.” I tore the order off my pad and made to leave.
“Eve?” Jefferies’ voice reached out and stopped me. “Forgive me for overstepping, but you seem distracted lately, and I couldn’t help but notice you missed my class the other day. Everything okay, I hope? Mr. Anderson was a no-show as well.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning that relationships at your age can be fraught with drama. Don’t forget what’s important in life. I know that relationships can feel like life or death, but in the end, none of that matters very much.”
“That sounds like a lonely perspective to have.”
“Well, I am a lifelong bachelor, so maybe that clouds my judgment.”
I nearly snorted at his bold claim but schooled my expression.
“I better let you go. Take care of yourself tonight, Eve. It’s getting wild out there.”
The talk of the attacks returned to me. I stared at the professor.
“It is Fall Fest, after all,” he added.
“Right, sure. I will. I always do.”
