“What? You’re just copying what I said.”
We arrived before our tents, Aaric and Sylvie almost finished.
I turned toward Cerise. “I knew you would pick a good spot, so I figured I would just camp near you, sunshine.”
She tapped her foot and placed her hands on her hips. “Stop calling me that. You are the most infuriating person I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.”
“Ahhh. So you find me pleasurable.” I gave her a wink.
“I—what?” She took a step back and her cheeks turned the most adorable shade of pink. Dammit, that was also endearing.
“Doctor Pendragon.” Sylvie approached, giving Cerise an irritated glance. “Are you all right?”
“Of course. Thank you two for your assistance. Please go check in with Rosenshield to see what else he needs help with.”
Sylvie’s face fell at the sudden dismissal, her eyeslingering on me as she and Aaric left. I turned back to Cerise, who was now looking at me with narrowed eyes and a hint of disgust.
“What?”
“Your student? Really?” She shook her head.
My fists clenched at my sides. “Are you accusing me of something?”
“You know, the rumors that you’re a relentless flirt who beds women left and right are disgusting…but you and a student? Unacceptable.”
“Doctor Thornheart,” I replied, emphasizing her name as I took a step forward. “I would think someone as intelligent as you wouldn’t put stock into rumors. Don’t believe everything you hear.” A flash of remorse passed over her face before she regained her composure. “As for accusing me of going after a student? I would never in a million years even consider the idea of being withanystudent of mine. Ever. Don’t you dare implicate me in something so foul.”
“I apologize,” she said quietly. “I should never have said that.”
She hurried away before I had a chance to respond, heading to the dining tent to join the rest of the group.
I sipped my tea,seated beside Cerise at the dining table. Bowls of rice and roasted meat were passed around as our party settled in for dinner. A breeze wound its way through camp, at last a reprieve from the oppressive heat of the day, carrying the symphony of nocturnal insects and frogs.
Though still irritated by Cerise’s earlier assumption, my anger had dissipated as quickly as it had come. I normally ignored the rumors about me, but mentioning a student was too far and I wouldn’t allow it.
“All right team,” said Dr. Rosenshield as he stood at the head of the table. “Let’s go over the structure for this exploration.”
Cerise leaned in as our leader droned on. “I apologize for what I said earlier.”
I turned to her. True remorse was written on her face. “Apology accepted. On one condition.”
“What would that be?”
“Let’s make an agreement that you will ignore any rumors you’ve heard about me. And I’ll do the same for you. No preconceived notions. Just getting to know one another in the real world.”
She harrumphed, eliciting a couple of suspicious glances from our team members. “There are no rumors about me.”
I accepted a bowl from Aaric, handing it to Cerise. “Oh yes there are, sunshine. Plenty.”
“Thank you,” she said, gripping it quietly.
“—and make sure to arrive at breakfast on time,” Dr. Rosenshield said, looking pointedly at me. I gave him a salute and a wink and his face turned red, his lips pursed. Antagonizing that man was one of my favorite pastimes. “Now, after breakfast we will?—”
Cerise turned back to me. “I agree to your condition.”
“Look at us making agreements. We’ll be unstoppable before long.”
Her lips twitched as if she was holding back a smile.
