Page 92 of Unwritten Rules

He moves forward, easily sliding the earring into place onto my left ear, then my right, before looking at his handiwork.

I give him a wry grin as he steps back. “You’re far too smooth, Wetherby. I reckon you’ve done this before.”

He glances down at his feet before raising his big blue eyes to mine, appraising me with a proud look on his face.

“Simply divine, Mila. Now, shall we?”

When he extends his arm to me once more, I grip it as he walks me to my waiting car. Phillippe opens the door, allowing me to slide past as he walks around to the driver’s side.

Wetherby prepares to close the door behind me, smiling benevolently as I notice the entire staff has turned out to watch me leave, making me feel every inch a celebrity.

I grin at him one last time. “Let’s get this show on the road then, Wetherby.”

It’s only once he’s shut the door that his response registers. “As you wish.”

CHAPTER 27

NATE

Why I decided to spend the week on campus during these interminable centennial celebrations, I’ll never know.

Wetherby’s parting words ring through my mind.

“Less duty calling, more heart following, Nathaniel.”

I’d not had the heart to tell him that following mine would only make me as much of an asshole as his previous employer. Or worse, seeing as I’d also be shitting all over my best friend’s trust.

By being here, I’m forcing myself to keep away from her. My willpower is practically non-existent right now. I genuinely don’t know how I can stop myself from taking her and making her mine the next time I see her.

The pull to be with her is beginning to supersede all else. Her words from the Shakespearean debate have been playing on a loop through my head all week.

“Knowing a life-altering love for any period of time, no matter how short-lived, is worth living a thousand lifetimes without ever having experienced its beauty.”

I’m honestly wondering if keeping my distance is doing a damn thing other than torturing the two of us. Mila’s open adoration shines from within every time she looks at me, and hiding mine is becoming impossible.

The Sandersons are out in force, and I’m wholly grateful that tonight’s unveiling of the Xavier Hawthorne Memorial Library is an assigned seating event.

The first thing I note that makes my heart sink when I check the table plan outside the entrance to the Library is that Zara Hawthorne has been seated at the same fucking table as me. Thankfully, she’s on the opposite side on the left of Chancellor Higgins, with none other than Monica on his damn right – and if that cunt sends me one over-exaggerated come-fuck-me wink, I’ll not be responsible for my actions.

I’d completely forgotten I’d asked Mila to be my plus-one, and since I’ve so openly ghosted her, there’s no chance of her showing up. So, there’ll be a free seat on my right, with Natasha Freemason, a sweet but awkward professor who barely makes eye contact and speaks even less on my left.

Branson attempts to draw me into a conversation with himself and Zara, who’s desperately been trying to catch my attention since sitting down, but I’m in no mood to play nice. The empty seat at my side has given me a severe dose of guilt, and I just want to wallow in it.

Dropping my eyes to my lap, I pluck my phone from my pocket and scroll through several notifications. I take the blessed break to reply to a handful of emails, and just as I’ve hit send on the fourth reply, a message from Mila pops up on the top of my screen.

I frown as I swallow roughly, pondering whether I should open it and see what she’s said. I last no longer than five seconds before I tap the message. No willpower where she’s concerned, reinforcing my decision to step back once more.

MILA

I bet you’re missing me tonight. That ball will be boring AF.

I snort as an unwilling smirk tugs at my lips.

ME

You’re not wrong there. On both counts.

Her response takes a handful of seconds.