“Amelia!”
Her head shoots up, and the room goes silent. I didn’t yell, but I apparently spoke loudly enough for others to hear.
Shit, I let my outside personality take over.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think he’ll say yes to this, or at least say yes to me.”
She tilts her head to the side. “Why not with you? You’ve already interviewed him, and it went better than we expected.”
I bite my lip and contemplate what to tell her. There’s a conflict of interest, but I can’t tell my editor or anyone at school that I kissed and was fingered by a professor…even if it was before he started working here.
That could ruin him.
Maybe not get him fired, but if word gets around, who knows if he’ll be taken seriously as a professor again? Hejuststarted this career.
“He seemed reserved and said no comment when it came to his divorce. He also preferred not to talk about his parents,” I say instead.
Amelia leans forward. “Listen, Emma. I understand yourhesitation, but I’m going to do this piece with or without you. However, I would much rather it be you since he already knows you, and you did a crazy amount of research with the little bit of information there was online.”
Closing my eyes, I think about what she just said. It would be crazy for me to do this. Then again, it would be crazy not to. It’s the kind of article I’ve been searching for. I could be the first journalist to get a glimpse into his life, and his passion for his career, and convince him to get his picture taken. Knowing Amelia, if I don’t do this now, I won’t get another opportunity like it. It’s a big university, but a small town. Chances like this don’t come around often.
“Okay, I’ll do it.”
She grins. “Perfect. We’ll make a schedule of updates and reports this week after you talk to him.”
“You got it, boss.”
Giving her a fake smile, I turn to my desk, where Ben is no longer standing, grab my purse, and book it out of there.
“Crap on a stick,” I say to myself once I’m outside.
How am I supposed to convince him to do this when he can barely stand being alone with me?
No, I’ve got this. We’ll set boundaries, and everything will be okay.
At least that’s what I tell myself as I walk to my room for a quick nap to relieve this headache that’s building before meeting Kamila, Luna, and Stevie at the movies.
A good girls’ night out will help.
Chapter Ten
EMMA
“M&M’s, a small popcorn, and a bottle of water, please.”
“Would you like extra butter on your popcorn?” the person behind the counter asks me.
“That’d be great, thank you.”
I turn, smiling to Kami and Stevie, who already have their sodas and popcorn in hand. Both of them shiver. Unfortunately, Luna couldn’t make it due to an intense migraine. It’s not surprising considering how complicated and hectic senior year is.
My mouth twists into a frown. “What?”
“You’re going to put the M&M’s in the popcorn, aren’t you?” Kami asks.
Letting out an annoyed sigh, I tell them what I always do. “I don’t care what either of you says. It tastes good, and M&M’s melt perfectly with it.” Stevie fakes a gagging sound. “Oh, hate on it all you want, but at least mine is festive and fun.” I stick my tongue out to emphasize my childish response.
The girls roll their eyes, and I glance back at the concession worker who’s gossiping with her coworker and taking forever with my order. It’s a good thing we arrived fifteen minutesbefore the trailers start. The girls might not care about them, but they’re my favorite part of going to the movies.
