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Larissa grinned crookedly, a sparkle in her eyes.

Breaking into Erik's house would be betrayal. I would be invading his privacy.

Bayla stood up and ran her fingers through her hair, as if she were just as overwhelmed as I was feeling right now.

Emely raised her hands in front of her.

“I'm definitely not going to break into the house of an unpredictable Quatura professor.”

Chapter 59

Quentin

Talk

Hozier

I had no idea how long I had been sitting in my office in the west wing of Vanderwood, but I didn't care, because even though it was already dark outside and I had wanted to go for a jog, all I could think about was J.

She had texted me. I had replied. And that's how it had been for the last two days.

It felt like I had been in withdrawal and had finally given in. Now I was intoxicated again, completely falling for this woman.

I wanted to make sure she was safe, which was why, half an hour ago, when she had come back online, I had very carefully steered the conversation toward Julie, who could still become a problem if I wasn't careful.

Immersed in the conversation, I typed the next message.

They couldn't possibly have grown up together. I didn't know if that would make it better or worse.

Sighing, I leaned back in my office chair.

Unlike a few minutes ago, J typed immediately.

I hadn't expected that question. And now that it was hanging in the air, I didn't know the answer myself.

I should hate her, simply because she had threatened me with J.

When I realized that the mere thought of Julie Blair gave me mixed feelings, I decided to change the subject.

Maybe I would get information some other time. Step by step.

I already feared that J knew everything about me that humans could know because of Julie, and if that was the case, I wouldn't try to lie any longer.

J deserved the truth. Nothing less.

I raised both eyebrows with a smile and turned back and forth in my chair.

I didn't want to pressure her. She obviously wanted to hide her appearance, even though I was sure that beneath that mask lay a work of art created by the gods.

I finally texted when she didn't reply.

Again, I smirked, letting the tingling in my stomach spread unrestrainedly throughout the rest of my body.

I knew she was studying here and still assumed she was a master's student.

I chuckled quietly.

No. She shouldn't feel sorry for anything. If all she could give me was her company and her time, then I would take that and build my life around it.