“With the Westfort Globe,” she said, waving a hand.“Local arts feature.They reached out after that mural photoset went viral.”
I shrugged, playing it off.“It’s nothing.”
“Nothing?”Ari scoffed.“Bro, that’s huge.”
Jesse nodded.“You nervous?”
“Nah,” I admitted.“More publicity for the mural and also for the shop.”
Nerissa smirked.“Maybe your girlfriend will see it and congratulate you in full fashion.”
I narrowed my eyes at her, seeing the truth in her eyes, and her teasing smile broke free.
“Maybe,” was all I could say, because I was playing a part in front of the guys.
She started sanitizing her station, chuckling under her breath—the little she-devil, because she knew she planted an image in my head.
I wanted Savannah Bristow.
And that was the problem.
9 | Beautiful, Delicious Fate
Savannah
Rainstreakeddownthetall classroom windows in thin, uneven lines, blurring the campus into shades of gray and slate.It was the kind of afternoon that pressed in on you—heavy, quiet, expectant.I sat perfectly still in my seat, pen resting between my fingers, watching Professor Hargreeve close her binder with a decisive snap.
In her late 60s, Professor Viola Hargreeve commanded the lecture hall with poise and precision.Her silver-peppered, wavy, shoulder-length hair swayed as she paced the front, and her warm hazel eyes were framed by circular glasses.
“Alright, everyone,” she said, adjusting her glasses as she surveyed the room.“That wraps up corporate law for the week.Now don’t forget, your case studies are due tomorrow at 11:59 p.m.sharp.No extensions.They account for twenty-five percent of your final grade, so I want to see real strategic answers!”
A collective groan rippled through the lecture hall.
She waited it out, unbothered.“Study break begins next week—keyword there beingstudy—then classes resume on the twenty-fourth.”
I underlined the date in my planner, even though I already knew it by heart.
“And a reminder,” she added, voice turning crisp again, “the last day to drop fall term courses with a W is also the twenty-fourth.After that, you’re locked in, alright?Go on, you're dismissed.”
Chairs scraped against the floor as students packed up, the room filling with the low hum of conversation.I slid my notebook into my bag and stood, already mentally mapping out my evening.It was probably best to use the hour to find a dress, then I'd head home and comb through my case study for the sixteenth time.
“Savannah.”
I turned, pulse jumping just a little when my gaze met Professor Hargreeve's.She stood near the front desk, one manicured hand resting on a stack of papers and an inviting smile on her lips.
“Yes, Professor?”
“I wanted to catch up with you before you left.I must say, I was very impressed with your review on the Wyatt v.Thantt case.Your argument was well thought through.”
Warmth spread through my chest, and I smiled back at her.
“Thank you,” I said, meaning it.Praise from her wasn’t given lightly.
“What I didn’t mention before,” she continued, lowering her voice slightly, “was that the case was a fictitious version of one done five years ago.Your introduction of the previous merger files caused reasonable doubt for the claim.Very impressive—and that was not brought up in the case when it was originally tried.All that to say… I shared your review with an old colleague of mine.”
My brow furrowed.“Oh?”
She nodded.“He’s a name partner at Warren and Adams.”
