And I had to bite my lip at the smile threatening to spread across my lips.
For the next two hours, I forced myself back into my element.As difficult as it was, I put Jaxon and all the drama on the back burner.By the time the professor began asking questions toward the end of the lecture, my hand was the only one raised.
“Ms.Bristow,” he called.
“I'd argue that if a company’s automated credit-scoring algorithm is used in the housing markets, then it systematically discriminates—violating several Human Rights Code.”
“And if the parent company argues that the IP is part of a trade secret?What would be the rebuttal in the courts?”
“That a claimant doesn't need to proveintentto discriminate—only that the practice resulted in a differential impact on a protected group.If we can show a statistically significant 'disparate impact' on, oh I don't know, indigenous or newcomer applicants in the housing markets, then the evidentiary burden should shift to the corporation to justify the need for the algorithm in the first place.”
He gave a hum of a response before walking back to his desk.“That concludes today's lesson, and I'd like to remind all of you that your debates are next week.Seeing as only Miss Bristow could answer the question, I'd suggest you all get to studying.Class dismissed.”
Well, that was a little saving grace.
Biting my lip to hide the pleased smile, I packed my things and glanced up at the clock.
10:09 a.m.
I still had four hours until my next class—more than enough time to try to make things right with Jaxon.Nerissa was right—a fact she’d taken far too much pleasure in reminding me ofall morning—and as she teased me out the door, I made her swear not to say anything to him before she left for the studio.
But the time made me think about everything that happened, and I didn’t like the way we’d left things.
Didn’t like how quickly something easy between us had turned strained.
Didn’t like the quiet.
It lingered, heavier than it should have.
So I needed to talk to him—to apologize.A simple enough task if my phone hadn’t decided to disappear at the worst possible moment.
Maybe this is better done in person.
Was that taking things too far?
Would I be crossing a line if I just showed up?
See, this was why I didn't deal in relationships.Complications like this.
Maybe you owe him that much.
The voice in my head wasn't exactly helping with the situation, either.
I’d have to stop home first, though.In my unpleasant search this morning, I forgot the books I needed for my next class.Which meant going home, swapping them out, heading to the studio to find Jaxon, and then making my way back to Kingsview.
A lot of back and forth.
But a small part of me hoped it was worth it.I huffed a breath, in disbelief that I had come this far with Jaxon to even be hoping for things to go well with us.
We really had changed.
I tugged my sleeves over my hands to fend off the crisp autumn air.Moving through campus on instinct alone, I barely registered the familiar paths beneath my feet.
And I'd never been more grateful for how close Aunt Penny’s townhouse was, because fifteen minutes later, I was unlocking the front door.I quickly shrugged off my heeled boots and made my way upstairs, stopping short at the mess waiting for me.
“Like a freaking tornado came through here,” I muttered.
Every perfectionist instinct in me flared, sharp and insistent, begging me to fix it—restore some kind of order, some sense of control.
