AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Your friend called,” he said in a clipped tone. He hated Danielle. “She said that she hasn’t seen you in a few days, and she’s worried. Ridiculous emotion. I told her that you were focusing on your dissertation after the abomination of a draft you turned in before. I expected better from you, Jill.”
Every cell in my body prickled in a rush of rage. “Wait, you spoke to my advisor? He shouldn’t be telling you anything about my paper. You certainly shouldn’t be reading it.”
He waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t be absurd. You should have known that I would take an interest in your paper, and I do work in the department. What is this attitude of yours, Jill?” He looked around, clearly unhappy as he pulled out the chair next to me and sat down.
Was he inviting me to tell him my problems? That was new. “I am frustrated about my dissertation, but I’m also dealing with some personal stuff.”
Don grunted and held up his hand. “No, Jill. When you are focused on academics, you are not focused on your personal life. It is always and will forever be about compartmentalizing. You are not the kind of woman to get distracted by your feelings. What has gotten into you?”
Brendan had gotten into me, and not in a good way.
Immediately, my cheeks heated. The last thing I wanted to think about was Brendan being inside me for any reason. “You’re right. I’ll push everything else aside.”
“Good. Please call your friend. I do not like it when she interrupts my day.” He stood. “I suggest that you eat a snack. Maybe your blood-sugar level is dropping, which is why you are so emotional.”
I wanted to tell him to stuff it, and that it wasn’t a sin to contract his words, but I was fairly certain he would consider that emotional. Instead, I forced a smile and nodded. “I’ll make sure to do that. Thank you, Don.”
“Excellent. We shall have dinner tomorrow night. The university board members are in town, and I know they have reservations after their meeting. Dinner will be at eight, a little late, but I want to make sure that I am seen. Wear something flattering.”
Unnerved, I stared at him. Wear something flattering? Was he trying to show me off like some sort of trophy wife?
No, Don wasn’t like that. Maybe he was right. I did need something to eat.
“Dinner sounds great, and we’ll get a chance to talk.” I really did need to tell him about Brendan. I imagined Don would have some moral issues with dating a married woman.
He walked away, and I wasn’t even sure if he heard me. My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out of my bag. It was Danielle again. She’d called me nine times that morning alone. If she’d called Don, she really was desperate.
Quickly, I texted her to let her know that I was coming home for lunch. I figured that she’d be at work, but her response was immediate. She would meet me there.
Collecting my things, I logged off the computer and headed outside. The sun was bright, and the air was warm, but I couldn’t shake the dismal cloud hanging over me. I couldn’t help but feel that there would be dire consequences to whatever choice I made.
I was so distracted that I didn’t even remember riding the bus home. I was on auto-pilot. Danielle’s car was already in the parking lot, and she lit into me as soon as I opened the door. I always knew when she was worried because she was both super pissed and concerned at the same time.
“What the hell is wrong with you? I haven’t seen you in two days, and we made a pact. This is a dangerous city. We’re not supposed to go twenty-four hours without telling the other what’s going on.” Her eyes widened as she examined me from head to foot. “Oh my god, did Don do something to hurt you? I will kill him with my bare hands.”
Emotion sprang to my face at how concerned she looked. “I…” I couldn’t finish, didn’t know how to finish.
Dropping my bag, I managed to steel myself just as she threw her arms around me and pulled me close. “You can tell me. Did he roofie your drink? Did he threaten you? Blackmail you? Did he bore you to tears when he talked about the honor code of the university?”
I laughed softly and stepped away when she let me go. Sniffing hard, I walked to the fridge and opened it. My stomach rumbled as I pulled out some leftover pizza, but I wasn’t sure if it was because I hadn’t eaten all day or if it was because I was still tied in knots.
“Actually, it has nothing to do with Don, but it does have something to do with blackmail.” I popped open the Tupperware and stared at the cold pizza inside. “Brendan.”
