That name hit me, and I flinched.
I only knew one Hoffmann.
My blood turned to ice.
No. No, no, no. This could not be happening.
I twisted around in my seat, scanning the classroom.
She was three rows behind me.
Already looking at me.
With the same stunned expression I felt on my own face.
And then, slowly, something dangerously close to amusement curved her mouth.
I turned back so fast I almost gave myself whiplash and started fiddling with the edge of my notebook.
Of all the graduate students in this class, I had to get paired with her.
Marley.
Marley Hoffmann.
The name rolled around in my head. It suited her somehow, with that same edge that seemed to define everything about her.
Dr. Chen was still rattling off names, but her voice faded into background noise. I could practically feel Marley’s gaze burning into my back.
I risked another glance over my shoulder.
She hadn’t moved.
Just sitting there watching.
Waiting.
Oh God.
Was I supposed to go to her?
Was she supposed to come to me?
What was the protocol here?
Around me, other students were already shuffling around, switching seats. Some moved forward, others backward.
My palms started to sweat.
Marley tilted her head slightly, the corner of her mouth lifting.
And I realised she was enjoying this.
Enjoying my obvious discomfort.
She was just going to sit there and watch me squirm, wasn’t she?
I took a deep breath and gathered my things with as much dignity as I could muster—which wasn’t much. My hands were shaking slightly as I stood up.
