Page 251 of Ruthless Court

“Haverhill.”

“Good presentation, Footnote.”

“Give it back.”

“Shared resources.”

“That joke is dead.”

“It’s trending.”

I grab for his wrist.

He lowers his arm, bringing us close again.

The noise around us fades.

His eyes drop to my mouth.

Mine betray me and do the same.

“This,” I whisper, “is exactly why people think the debate was foreplay.”

Kane leans closer.

“Maybe they understood the assignment.”

My breath catches.

Then Professor Aldridge calls from the doorway.

“Not in my classroom.”

I jerk back.

Kane laughs under his breath and places the broken pencil in my palm.

Students spill into the hallway ahead of us, already replaying clips and inventing captions.

My phone vibrates again.

Noor: YOU SAID IT WAS ONE KISS.

Then:

Lila: THE WHOLE CLASS NEEDS A COLD SHOWER.

I lock the screen.

Kane swings his bag over one shoulder.

“Coffee?”

“No.”

“Library?”

“No.”