Page 256 of One Winter Knight
“Hey, how did everything go? I was getting worried,” he said.
“My phone wouldn’t power on. I might need a new one.” I sighed.
“Oh, okay. Are you feeling better?” he asked.
“Yes. My professor made me feel better about everything.” I opened my closet. I didn’t have a suitcase, because it was in New York. Oooh, I had a big army duffle from my uncle.
There was some noise and Fiona picked up the phone. “Hi, where wereyou? I was worried.”
“Sorry. Phone’s giving me problems. I talked to my professor. A private rental lab won’t work unless there’s some sort of supervision.”
“That makes sense,” she replied.
“I emailed my nursing professor,” Carlos added.
“Thanks.” I scrolled through my phone. It looked like Grace was looking at working on it–so was Verity.
“What are you doing now?” Fiona asked.
“Packing. In the morning I have a meeting with my advisor, to make sure everything is set for my other classes, and I need to get my parking permit.” I surveyed my closet.
“You’re not leaving us, right?” Fiona’s voice went small. Which made me feel like shit.
“No. I even have a surprise for you. I admit, my mom made me feel really shitty today. I did consider how your lives would be so much better without me. But don’t worry, my mentor talked me down,” I assured.
“I can’t believe your mom said things like that. If I ever meet your parents, I will punch them,” Fiona declared.
“Well, according to Verity, Grace nearly stabbed Mumsy with a plastic fork once,” I replied. “Punching Mom seems completely realistic.”
“You don’t need them, you have us now,” Fiona added. “Juststay.”
“I will. Would you feel better if I bought the ticket back now and sent you the information?” I asked.
“Yes,” Fiona stated.
As I packed, I talked to them, reassuring them that everything was fine. When the call ended, I bought my tickets home and sent them a screenshot. While I didn’t need a puppy ticket, I did need a carrier. Which I had.
When I finished packing, my little puppy was asleep on my bed. So fucking cute. I smiled at him. “Yeah, I’m going to take a showerand then join you.”
“Hale, you’re going to be fine,” my academic advisor assured. “You’re on track for graduation, the changes went through.”
“Okay. Thanks for meeting with me,” I added. Maybe I hadn’t really needed to meet with her, but it made me feel better to know everything was set besides this whole research thing.
I left her office and went to get my parking decal. My phone buzzed.
Professor Clemson
If you’re in town still, can you come to the lab?
Me
Sure.
I had time.
When I arrived at the chemistry lab that I was assigned to, I sucked in a breath. Not only had someone broken in the door, it wasransacked.Tad looked near tears.
“I’d already started this semester’s project and they wrecked it,” he sniffed. Big Tad was a giant alpha from Tennessee. We were the same year.
