Lodged (Kinsmen Billionaires #2)

3. Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Gio Bianchi

“ I t’s finally here,” I murmur to myself as I grab the letter from my mailbox in the tiny office I share with other grad students in the environmental department. With six desks, there's not much space to wander around or have any privacy, but I enjoy having an office on campus. I quickly pocket the letter, and after dropping my book bag on my desk, I rush across campus to get a coffee before I start the day. The walk is quiet; the campus is almost empty, with the first class at eight in the morning and it’s only seven. The air is already humid, even at this early hour, and I can’t wait for the weather to cool down. Unfortunately, we’re in the middle of summer, and it will be a while before the leaves change color and I can enjoy the crisp morning air.

The ringing bell as I enter the coffee shop pulls me out of my thoughts. The intense coffee smell mixed with that of warm bread puts a smile on my face. It doesn’t matter if it’s cold or hot outside; my morning coffee can’t be skipped.

“Morning, Gio. The usual?” one of the baristas asks as I approach the counter.

“You know it,” I reply with a smile. I’ve been coming here for so long that everyone who works here knows me and greets me by my name. That’s what I love about living in Raleigh—it has all the perks of a big city but is small enough to get to know people on a deeper level.

After paying and leaving a couple of bills in the tip jar, I scan the cafe to pick a spot to sit down. I don’t even know why I do this—I always sit on the loveseat by the bay window. There’s an electric furnace in the middle of the cafe, and even though it’s off during summer, it gives a cozy vibe to the place. There are also bookshelves with well-loved books ranging from textbooks to sci-fi, to fantasy, and even romance novels. I usually don’t have much time to read things that aren't research-related, but I do enjoy looking at the titles and spines from time to time.

The barista places my coffee and croissant on the counter, and after murmuring thanks, I head toward the loveseat. I usually engage in conversation with whoever is manning the store, but more customers arrived while I was wandering around. I don’t like interrupting them while they work.

Once I’m situated, I take the envelope out of my back pocket, and with butterflies in my chest, I unfold the letter and take a deep breath before reading it.

Wolfe University

The Graduate School

Mr. Giorgio Bianchi

With this letter, we inform you about your doctoral thesis defense presentation on November 1st at two in the afternoon. It’s your last step before you can apply for Fall graduation. Your committee members have been notified, as well. An auditorium will be assigned at a later date.

Please let us know if there’s anything we can help you with.

Regards,

Sue Berkoff,

Graduate Student Services

“Fuck yes!” I shout, fist-pumping the air.

“What’s all the commotion about?” Penny asks, taking a seat next to me. I cover my face with the letter and grin like a lunatic even though she can’t see me.

“Are you going to tell me or no, Giorgio?” she says, emphasizing my full name, knowing I hate it when people do that.

Penny was actually the first person I met at grad school orientation. She came for her MBA and stayed to pursue a PhD in economics. Her mom is from Colombia, so we instantly clicked—our shared Latino roots made it easy for me to connect. I’ve always been a bit of a loner and not great at making new connections. I adore my siblings, and the few friends I have I consider family, but opening up to others has never come easily.

Contrary to what everyone thinks, Penny and I are best friends—there’s never been an urge to explore anything romantically. I’ve never admitted this to anyone before, but I’ve never felt the so-called “butterflies” with anyone in my life. I often wonder if there’s something wrong with me, but instead of worrying about it, I’ve simply devoted myself to my studies and making sure my siblings are okay and thriving.

“Yes, I’ll tell you, Penelope María,” I say as I remove the paper from my face, just in time to see her rolling her eyes at me. “I got the notification for defending my dissertation.” I’m practically oozing with pride.

“Aww, this makes me so happy! We’re finally leaving this forsaken town.” Mischief dances in Penny’s amber eyes as mine fill with fire.

“I’ll never understand how on Earth you chose to come to this forsaken town and spend four years of your life here when the world is your oyster. Literally.” I raise my hands and shoulders in question, watching a smirk spread across Penny’s face.

“We’ve had this conversation so many times, dear Gio,” Penny starts, taking a bite of my croissant and setting it back down as I stare at her, mouth agape. The audacity. “Daddy might be a rich motherfucker, but he wouldn’t accept any of his precious kids attending any other school that isn’t his beloved alma mater,” Penny finishes as she tries to snatch my croissant—or whatever is left of it—from the plate, but this time I’m prepared, and I eat it in one single bite.

“You’re no fun. Now what am I going to eat?” Penny asks with a pout as I grin with my mouth full of buttery goodness.

“You know you can buy your own, right?” I ask after taking a sip of my coffee. It’s perfection—the right cream-to-coffee ratio.

“But if I buy my own, it’ll be too much, and I need to watch what I eat. But if I just share yours, it’s the right amount!” Penny exclaims, as if this is obvious knowledge.

“You know I don’t understand girl math,” I say, shaking my head in mock indignation. Penny cackles at my comment, and suddenly, all eyes are on us. I’m laughing, too, when I lock onto a set of clear green eyes. I knew I’d see her tomorrow in the lab, but seeing her outside of class makes it extra special.

I get up from the loveseat and make my way toward the counter. I need to buy a couple of croissants before Penny becomes cranky and has a bad day—or at least, that’s what I tell myself. As I approach where Ruin is waiting for her order, I notice the flush on her face, her rosy cheeks dotted with freckles like a beautiful constellation.

“Hi, Ruin, fancy seeing you here,” I say once I’m close enough to her. A pleasant aroma of apples and honey invades me, and I can’t help the smile that forms on my face. Of course, the girl with red, fiery hair and rosy cheeks would smell like red, delicious apples.

“Oh, Mr. Bianchi. Good morning.” I grin at her greeting, and her eyes immediately squeeze shut. Now, not only are her cheeks red, but her neck is, too.

“I’m so sorry. Professor Bianchi,” she corrects herself, biting her lip. “No, wait, that didn’t sound right either.” She huffs in exasperation, and after taking a deep breath, tries again. “I’m just trying to be polite and trying to greet you in a respectful way, but so far, it all sounds so old and antiquated.”

Ruin covers her face as she finishes her sentence, and a genuine belly laugh rolls out of me. She looks so cute, all flustered. Ruin peeks through her fingers, and my laugh calms down, transforming into a huge smile. I cross my arms and stick my hip out, waiting for her to uncover her face.

“You’re not upset with me?” she asks hesitantly.

“Why would I be? You were simply trying to be polite. And I might be many things, but being insecure about my age is not one of them.”

A sheepish laugh escapes her lips as she rearranges her perfectly braided hair. “Oh, Mr. Bianchi, you’re truly the kindest. I’ll see you tomorrow in the lab.” She grabs her to-go cup and gives a two-finger salute before power-walking toward the exit. This girl is so intriguing.

Shaking the thoughts out of my head, I order the croissants and head back to the loveseat, where Penny sits, raising an eyebrow in question.

“What?” I ask as I take a seat next to her, offering her one of the croissants.

“Who was that, and when are you going out on a date?” I choke at Penny’s question.

“What the hell are you talking about?” I take a huge bite of my fresh croissant, hoping it’ll give me time to avoid answering what I know she’s asking.

“The pretty redhead. You,” Penny says, pointing first at the door, then at me. “I mean, hello—I could feel the chemistry between the two of you from here.”

When I don’t say anything, she presses further.

“And don’t try to deny it, Giorgio. It’s the first time in four years I’ve seen you smiling at a girl like that.”

I know she’s right. I’ve never felt so captivated by a girl before, but there’s nothing there. Ruin is just a nice girl. And my student. That’s all there is.

“Oh, Ruin? She’s one of my students this semester,” I finally say, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Oh, forbidden love—I like it.” The sass in her tone is palpable. She’s enjoying this way too much, and I cannot go there. She’s right—it’s forbidden. I cannot engage in a relationship with a student, especially when I’m so close to graduation.

“You just read too many romance novels. There’s nothing there, Penny,” I say, finality in my tone. She shrugs as she eats her croissant, and I release a deep breath. I think I’m finally off the hook.