Page 146 of Broken Lies
“Nerves? Why were you nervous? You’ve never failed an exam in your life!”
“No, but…” I fiddle with the ring on my finger.
I put it back on after the night Kieran showed me how he would have taken my virginity, and ever since that night, it feels so much more significant. No longer is it a symbol of the deal I struck with the Sullivans, but a symbol of how Kieran feels about me.
“I was more distracted than normal.”
“If you ever get married again, maybe don’t schedule it during finals week?”
I chuckle. “I’ll try to bear that in mind.”
Jace drops the two of us outside a small independent café that Lucy and I first went to on our first day of college, so it felt like a fitting place to celebrate surviving this year.
Lucy groans as she follows me inside. “I was hoping Jace would join us.”
“Kieran says he has to stay parked outside. That’s the deal.”
“So sad.” She looks longingly out of the window.
We both order a matcha and a couple of pastries to share and settle at a table tucked away in the corner.
“Can you believe that in less than a year we’ll be done with college?” I break off a piece of an almond croissant.
Lucy nods, but she’s stirring her matcha, looking a lot less happy than she did in the car ride over here.
“What’s wrong?”
She hesitates, her eyes darting briefly toward the window as her throat bobs. “If I tell you something, will you promise not to tell anyone?”
“Cross my heart.”
“I’m serious, Riley. Not even Kieran.”
“I’m a little insulted that you would even suggest such a thing. But yes, I promise not to tell Kieran.”
Lucy quickly takes a bite of one of the pastries before finally meeting my eyes.
“I’ve been seeing someone.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Really? Who?”
“A professor…”
“As in one ofourprofessors?”
Lucy nods.
“Oh… Whoa, okay. Well, I’m happy for you?—”
“I broke it off last night, but I think that was a mistake. Because I think…I’m in love with him.”
I nod as I try to think of something supportive to say.
Dating a professor isn’t forbidden, but it’s not exactly encouraged either. Blurring the boundaries between student and teacher can be tricky, and from the look of devastation on Lucy’s face, she’s in deep.
“Oh, Luce.” I reach across the table to squeeze her hand. “Do you want to talk through it?”
“Not really. I just wanted to get it off my chest because I thought it would make me feel better, but I actually feel worse.”
