The Odds of Happily Ever After (The Reyes Siblings #2)

Chapter 29

chapter twenty-nine

gabe

Nora

Can you come by my office at 3 p.m.? I have concerns about your dissertation.

Gabe

Alright.

Staring at my laptop, I tapped the delete key just enough to make a sound without actually pressing it. Not that it mattered whether I did. The words I’d typed so far—few as they were—didn’t amount to much more than a regurgitation of information I’d gathered from my sources. I’d brought nothing new to the discussion, which meant this was useless.

Going by Nora’s text this morning, she agreed. If I had to guess, it was a toss-up between her asking me to redo what I’d worked on so far or telling me to rethink my participation in the program. I almost hoped she’d kick me out of it to take the decision off my hands.

I grabbed my phone to check whether I’d received a new message from Luna, only to put it back down at the realization that I was acting like a teenage boy. The last time I’d been this eager to get a text from a girl, I’d been just that—a kid. It was humbling, yet it didn’t stop me from feeling disappointed that she hadn’t replied yet.

What the hell was wrong with me?

It was this dissertation. Too much reading and digesting, not enough doing. Consultancy involved plenty of analysis, but it came hand in hand with application. It had greater stakes than a failing grade, which energized me. Knowing my judgment could spell the difference between a profit and a loss sharpened my brain and drove it to function at full capacity. I couldn’t say the same for writing a literature review.

My phone rang, and I grabbed it as though it were a life raft.

Max. Not Luna.

“Max,” I answered.

“Are you still on campus?”

The absence of a greeting and his rushed, almost frantic speech had me sitting up straighter. “Yes. What’s wrong?”

“My mother-in-law got into an accident, so Paul and I need to fly to Chicago.” A door slammed in the background.

My brain latched on the words mother-in-law . Since when was Max married? And who was Paul? “What?”

“I hate to do this, but I’ve got to ask you a massive favor,” Max went on. “Can you sub for me? I’m supposed to be a guest lecturer for an entrepreneurship class, but I need to head to the airport anytime now. It’s just about financial planning, funding—things you could discuss in your sleep.”

“What time is the class?”

“Two p.m.”

“Alright.” I’d planned to spend the hours before my meeting with Nora finishing my literature review, but this was more pressing.

“That’s it? No other questions?” Surprise filled his voice.

I stifled a snort. “I’d ask why I didn’t know you were married and who Paul is, but I assume you don’t have time to talk.”

“I’m not married—it’s a long story. I’ll tell you all about my partner next time.”

Partner. I didn’t know that either. “Alright.”

“I’ll send you my notes after we hang up, then you can text or call me back if you have questions. My flight’s not until one forty-five.”

“Got it. Take care, Max. Hope your mother-in-law’s okay.”

“Thanks, Gabe. I owe you a big one.”

He hung up before I could assure him otherwise, and a few seconds later, my phone buzzed with an email from him. I saved my document and closed it before opening my email on my laptop. Scanning the body of Max’s message confirmed that it was a lecture I could give without issue. I read it more thoroughly, only to halt at a single word.

Fashion.

I checked the top of the email and cursed. Of all the classes I had to sub for, it had to be Fashion Entrepreneurship. I didn’t even need to ask Luna about whether she’d be in the class—she’d already told me how excited she was for it.

Here I thought I’d escaped the possibility of being assigned to Luna’s classes after she finished her sophomore year. There was irony in how I’d traded classes with Max last year only to have to step in for him now.

At least it was only one session.

My eyes fell to my phone. Should I warn Luna? What would I say— I’m teaching your class today, so can you pretend you don’t know me? I could already imagine how she’d react to that.

No. I would treat this as just another assignment because at the end of the day, that’s what this was. Work. Luna knew my stance on professionalism. She’d understand.

In the meantime, I’d prepare for this session like I would any other. Only this time, I’d make sure my poker face was out in full play.

luna

A pointy chin dug into the fleshy part of my shoulder, pulling my attention off the text I’d been reading from Kai. “Chloe!” I rubbed at the aching spot.

Chloe leaned away from me and stared straight ahead. “That guy is so gone over you, it’s sad.”

“You’re still on that?”

“It’s still true, and you’re still in denial.”

“You’re delusional.” Kai had only asked when we’d do another study session. There was nothing gone about that.

“It’s only delusional if I’m wrong, and I’m betting that guy wants out of the friend zone so bad his balls are blue.” She spoke in her usual volume, uncaring that we were walking in the hallway with other students close enough to overhear.

My skin grew hot. “ Chloe .”

“Look, Kai’s not my type, but who knows? He might give good dick,” she continued despite my groan.

“Why are we friends again?” I muttered, searching for Kriz in the crowd. What was taking her so long? We had a class together in less than ten minutes.

“One, Kriz didn’t really give us a choice, and two, because you are in dire need of someone to give it to you straight. You’re welcome, by the way.” Chloe sounded unfazed, but then again, things rarely ruffled her. “You should give Kai a chance. Have you been with anyone at all since Theo?”

How shocked would she be if I told her about Gabe? Nothing had happened between us, but it would definitely surprise her.

Chloe stopped and pulled me still. “Hold on. Are you dating anyone?”

“Of course not.” At least I didn’t need to lie. She’d probably catch on to me and call me out in front of everyone if I had.

Her eyes narrowed like she wasn’t convinced. “Are you hooking up with someone on the down low?”

“No! I told you, I’m focusing on school.” I stepped forward, but she yanked me back.

“Okay, that tells me you’ve never had good D. Trust me when I say?—”

Spotting Kriz behind Chloe, I called out, “Kriz!”

Chloe gave an exaggerated eyeroll.

I could have hugged Kriz when she shoved her way between us. “Whew, glad I caught you guys,” she said. “This dude cornered me after class and had this long lead up to asking me out.”

“Couldn’t have been longer than Kai’s taking with Luna.” Chloe smirked at me.

Kriz gaped at me. “He finally asked you out?”

“I told you guys, we’re just friends,” I stressed. “Also, we’re going to be late for class.”

They exchanged looks.

“You deal with her,” Chloe told Kriz. “See you after class.” Then she left with a backward wave, disappearing down the hall.

Before Kriz could say anything else, I led the way up the stairs to our lecture room on the third floor.

“Someone’s in a hurry,” she teased as she caught up with me.

“It’s a small class. Everyone’s going to notice if we’re late.”

The door was already closed when we got to it. Slightly out of breath, I grasped the knob and slowly opened the door, hoping our arrival would go under the radar. Why did they have to position the doors in front of the room instead of at the back?

I’d barely taken a step inside when I halted, my mouth slack.

Because standing in front of the class was Gabe. And he was frowning at me.