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“Can I speak to you for a couple of minutes?” I request once everyone begins packing their things.

Eva tucks her laptop into her bag before she meets my gaze. “If this is to say sor?—”

“It’s not that,” I blurt, cutting her off.

Eva pauses, quirking a brow. “Then what?” There isn’t a hint of agitation in her reply. It appears she genuinely is puzzled by my interest in talking to her.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt. It’s just that—” I rub the bridge of my nose, stalling as I work up the courage to tell her.

“You’ll need to speed this up, or I’ll be late.”

Clearing my throat, I throw caution to the wind and go for it. “I was wondering if I could take you out sometime. It’s—that night—” Gahh, I feel like I’m back in middle school when you’d have someone pass a note to your crush asking, ‘Do you like me, yes or no?’ “I want to take you out on a date,” I finally spit out.

Eva stills, surprise registering in her goddess-brown eyes. She quickly tries to cover it up, but it’s too late.

My confidence takes a nosedive. “Just forget it. I wasn’t thinking.”

“Listen. While I find you extremely attractive. After what happened that day, I can’t jump and say yes.” Eva picks up her bag, throwing it over her shoulder before she continues. “Quite frankly, I don’t think you’ve earned my forgiveness.”

Rubbing the back of my neck, I reply, “You’re right. It’s audacious of me to expect your forgiveness at this stage.”

Eva must take some form of pity on me, which is the opposite of what her file says. There’s no impulsivity or brashness as she speaks. “How about we start as acquaintances and see where that goes?”

Before I can answer, my phone vibrates, reminding me I missed a call earlier. I silence it, promising to call whoever is blowing me up back once I’m done here. Eva deserves my undivided attention.

“That’s more than fair. Acquaintances, it is, for now,” I state, my pride taking a hit. But, it’s deserved. I knowacquaintancesis meant to shield her until I’ve earned her trust, and while I’m bummed she didn’t immediately say yes, I’m also happy she didn’t completely write me off.

“Perfect,” she declares. “Until next time.”

I wave, watching as she exits the room, when my cell goes off again. Growling, I yank my phone from my pocket and see Mason calling. “Did something happen?”

“Get your ass back to the apartment now,” he orders, and then the line goes dead.

27

eva

Today has been a day.

Fuck—the last few weeks have been a series of unfortunate events. Except for?—.

Don’t you go there, Eva Rose.

“Move,” someone shouts, shoulder-checking me, jarring me from my thoughts, and serving as a reminder that I stopped in the middle of the hallway.

My anger simmers. There was no reason for her to do that. Peering around, I notice there is more than enough room to pass without bumping into me.

Thestupid bitch did that shit on purpose.

“An excuse me works just fine,” I growl at the retreating form. “Next time?—”

I forget to breathe. I’m frozen, paralyzed to the spot, watching the girl with the long, onyx-colored hair cut into layers speed down the hall. But that’s not what robs me of my air—it’s the scent of her perfume and her very distinguishable tattoo that keeps peeking out with each sway of her hair—??????? ?????? ???????? ?????? flows down her spine into a pink lotus.Hidden battles leave the deepest scar.

I choke, remembering the day she got it. Her mother hired the same person who does the tattoos for the Heirs.

“The pink lotus means resilience, Evie. It’s meant to show that we’re still here to fight in spite of our silent battles.”They were meant to be matching tattoos. I was supposed to get mine once I came back. But?—

Sighing, I don’t bother to finish. Instead, I search for who has to be a figment of my imagination.