Page 252 of One Winter Knight
“Hale, your proposal is great. I’d love to take you on, but it turns out that the university won’t let you use the lab, because you’re not a student. I’m sorry. It’s a liability issue or something,” the professor told me. “Which is a pity, because this is pretty brilliant.”
It was like a slap. Shit. Everything hinged on this. “It’s okay, I understand. Do you know of anyone else?”
There were still a couple of weeks until the semester started.
“I did ask around, because Professor Clemson speaks so highly of you. But most universities have similar rules. Your mother is Pippa Thorne, right? Of Strauss Chemicals? A couple of people turned me down right there. Something about intellectual property drama?” He frowned.
A sigh escaped my lips. Of course someone would bring that up. “Thank you for looking.”
“I’m so sorry I couldn’t help.” He truly looked sorry.
“It’s okay. Thank you for your time,” I replied. Trying to hide my disappointment, I left his office.
It made perfect sense as to why a university wouldn’t let a random non-student use their facilities. But it still made me feel useless. I’m sure the parents or my siblings would have had some brilliant solution to make the university change their mind.
But I had nothing.
My mentor had texted me. Might as well reply. I sat down on the bench outside the building.
Professor Clemson
How did it go?
Me
University said no. Liability.
Professor Clemson
I’m so sorry. I can see that. I’ll make calls.
Me
Thanks. I’m headed to campus. Are you free? Maybe you can help me figure out what my schedule would look like if I need to do my research there?
Professor Clemson
Of course. Can you make it in time for dinner? My mate is roasting chicken.
His mate was a very good cook, and I’d been over for dinner many times, especially in the last year and a half.
Me
Yeah, I can. Thanks.
Professor Clemson
You’re looking for a dog? I saw that in the lab chat. My neighbor has Labrador puppies.
Me
My pack needs a dog. I like Labradors.
A Labrador or Golden Retriever probably would be our best choices. Family dogs that were good with kids and could jog with Saoirse.
Oooh, did my advisor have an appointment open? It would be nice to talk to her in person, too, just to make sure I was still on-track. I went into the appointment portal. There was a spot tomorrow. Perfect.
Clegg had also continued to text me, demanding all my inventory, wanting to buy the formula, asking for who bought it, and generally giving me shit.Block.
