Page 45 of Pucking Forbidden

Best,

Julian Wilder

I keep it simple and don’t use any language hinting at a commitment. I just want information and to see what their formal offer might look like.

When I finish, I hit send, then I lean back and stare at the ceiling.

“Well,” I mutter. “That’s done.”

My stomach twists. Shit, I thought I’d feel some kind of relief after that.

Instead, I just sort of feel…empty.

My phone suddenly buzzes against the table. I frown. No way they’ve responded already. I grab it, but it’s just the notifications of all the messages I’ve missed from earlier today. I scroll through and see I have one from Hadley.

I open it immediately.

Hadley: Survived my first full week back. Barely. I think my professors are trying to kill me.

A small smile pulls at my mouth before I can stop it.

“Dramatic,” I mutter as I type back.

Julian: It can’t be that bad for a brainiac like you.

I don’t expect her to respond right away, thinking she’s likely asleep. However, her reply comes almost instantly.

Hadley: You didn’t see the reading list.

Julian: You’ll live. What are you still doing up, anyway?

Hadley: Debatable. And I’m working on the reading list. I just told you that!

I huff a quiet laugh, rubbing a hand over my jaw.

Julian: I know you’ve got this. What class is it?

Hadley: All of them, she replies. I’m serious. I think one of them assigned reading just to watch us suffer.

Julian: Yikes! Sounds like a nightmare.

Hadley: Wow. So supportive.

I laugh.

Julian: I am supportive. I’d fail miserably, but you’ll survive.

Hadley: You’re the worst at pep talks.

Julian: I’m fucking brilliant at pep talks.

Hadley: Okay, maybe top 5.

Julian: I’ll take it.

There’s a pause, then…

Hadley: Practice go okay today? Or, I guess yesterday now?