Everything okay?
Finn:
Yeah, all good
I’m sorry about earlier
You have nothing to be sorry for
We’ll talk later, yeah?
Sure. Have a good day x
Then a video comes through of Skye on her playmat as she stares up at the planets and stars that dangle over her. She kicks her feet excitedly and watches with wide eyes before a ghost of a smile creeps over her lips.
CHAPTER 32
MAYA BROOKE
When I get to my final class of the day, I frown at the extra students walking in who aren’t usually in this class. The professor arrives and explains that our classes will be merging as there is a new project they want us to start working on before the Christmas break, and to continue on into the new year.
My eyes flick to a latecomer to find Alfie strolling through the door casually. I freeze for a moment as his eyes lock on mine and he walks around the tables before taking a seat beside me, his arm brushing mine.
“Hey, Maya,” he whispers as he leans in, and his breath tickles my ear.
I tense before looking at him. “Hi.”
Alfie continues to smile at me before leaning back in his chair and stretching out as if he owns the place. Two years ago, I probably would have found it hot, but it does absolutely nothing for me.
When the professor talks again, I snap my attention away from Alfie, who smirks when I realise I was staring for a moment too long.Damn it.
“This will require working in groups of two,” the professor says. “So pick who you want to work with. There will be no changing or doing it alone, so choose wisely.”
I glance around the room as people start choosing their partners. Then I feel a light nudge to my arm. I twist my head towards Alfie as he flashes me a small grin with soft eyes. “Wanna be my partner? I heard I’m great at projects.”
“Uh…” I trail off as I realise almost everyone already has a partner, and I don’t want to be left doing this on my own. “Sure.”
“Sweet.” He nods before twirling his pen between his fingers. “We’re gonna make a great team.”
I don’t miss the way he gives me a subtle wink, and I release a hesitant laugh before looking away.
We listen to the professor as he explains the project, and that it will count for a big part of our grade, as it’s taking our journalism skills out into the world. We’ve got to pick a topic, do a shitload of research, and then create a presentation with our findings. It doesn’t sound so bad, but working with Alfie? That wasn’t something I was expecting.
As the class comes to an end, I stand up, shoving my notebook into my bag. “Hey.” Alfie catches my attention. “Wanna hang out tonight and start thinking about what topic we wanna pick? Get a head start.”
My eyebrows dip. Hanging out doesn’t really sound like studying to me. I’d rather meet in the library than head over to his football-filled house, which will probably give me fight-or-flight vibes.
“I can’t. I need to look after Skye.” I sling my bag over my shoulder.
And I need to see if Finn is okay.
Alfie’s face twists with recognition. “Right, shit. I totally forgot. Isn’t the dad in the picture?”
I blink at the forward question, completely taken aback. “Yeah, he’s with her right now.”
He raises his head an inch. “So what’s the problem?”
“The problem is I’ve been at university all day, and we’re co-parenting.”
