On that note, I kick his leg for good luck, leaving this place with one girl and an even bigger goal in mind.
CHAPTER 33
VIVIENNE
My eyes linger on the flickering cursor of my Word document, watching it disappear and appear, over and over again.
I’m supposed to be writing the synthesis portion of my upcoming paper while simultaneously working on the third and final project of my PhD. But that’s proven to be difficult when my mind keeps floating elsewhere.
I tap my phone screen, hoping to seehisname, only to be met with another dozen texts from Evelyn and Sutton asking me where I’ve been.
The answer is simple—I’ve been actively avoiding everyone. Phil. Margaret. Sutton. Evelyn. I wake up early to miss the girls on my way out of the house and come back when I know they’re fully passed out. I've even stopped going to Brews&Bookmarks.
They’ve all caught on that something is up, and that’s exactly why I can’t be around them. I’m not too eager to rehash what went down between my supposedfiancéand me.
Tears well up in my eyes at the thought of it all.
Nate has been cold and distant since we returned from Italy. And while I’ve tried convincing myself that it had something to do with us getting what we wanted—I know that’s false. This man is friendly, and kind, and oh-so caring of the people he loves. This isn’t like him.
I fall back into my chair at the graduate offices, gaze lingering on our last texts to each other.
Nate:Looking smoking hot, Wifey
He had sent it when we were sitting next to each other during someone else’s talk at the conference, minutes before mine.
Vivienne:We’ve gone over this. Don’t call me, Wifey.
Nate:Does Master sound good to you, then?
Vivienne:Is there something you aren’t telling me?
Nate:Fine…I’ll settle on calling you Viv.
My heart warms as I read the nickname over.
I’d never been a fan of them, hence why everyone referred to me by my full name. When he did it, though, it felt different—and that somehow applies to everything he would do.
The urge to text him does flare up once in a while, but I’ve learned to restrain it. I’ve tried knocking on his door to check on him, but I eventually gave up. I wasn’t going to chase after a guy who did not want me back.
“A little distracted, aren’t we?”
I roll my eyes at the voice behind me and ignore Arjun’s advances at riling me up. His energy is not appreciated—especially when I’m already in a bad mood.
“This is why you needed to focus on yourself, Vivienne. Your head has been elsewhere since that relationship started.”
I pop off my chair, making sure to roll backward and straight into Arjun. The slight cracking of bones erupts as it passes over his feet, and I can’t stop the satisfaction I get from hearing a grown-ass man squeal like a little girl.
“That was completely unnecessary!” Arjun looks me dead in the eyes with fire and animosity. “You knew I was behind you!”
He glares, and I glare back even harder.
“The offhanded comments, the bringing me down to make me seem like I’m lesser than you—thatwas completely unnecessary. And I’m fed up with it. Stop hating on me when I’ve been nothing but nice to you.”
Arjun’s eyes go blank, void of all emotions. I roll my eyes once the silence settles.He knows he’s in the wrong.
“I didn’t do anything wrong.” He tries to rebut, crossing his arms over his chest. “It’s always been lighthearted teasing, and you know it.”
I huff in disbelief. “Don’t you try to gaslight me, Arjun. I’m not the girl I once was.”
