Page 36 of Broken Dream

He exhales sharply through his nose. “No. I think I’ll let you squirm a little.”

“Squirm? Why would I squirm? There’s no evidence because you don’t have any. Because nothing happened.”

Besides, even if he does have a photo, I can claim it was manipulated with AI or something. Who’s going to believe him? Jason and I will both deny it.

“Tell you what,” he says to me. “It won’t cost you a cent, Angie. All it will cost you is information.”

I drop my jaw. “Information about what?”

He grins. “So you do have something to hide.”

“I have absolutely nothing to hide. And I don’t even know what kind of?—”

“Hey, guys!” Tabitha scurries up to us, Eli with her.

And I silently thank the universe.

“We just saw the note on the door that lab is canceled,” Tabitha says. “Of course I came all the way here before I realized that Jason had sent an email as well.” She shrugs. “I guess we’ve got a free period.”

“And I have to wait another week to cut,” Eli growls.

Tabitha turns to me, her expression sympathetic. “I guess that makes you happy.”

“Or does it?” Ralph says, arching his eyebrows.

Tabitha gives him a curious look. “What’s that supposed to mean, Ralph?”

“Why don’t you ask lover girl here?” Ralph smirks.

“What the hell?” Tabitha gives Ralph a punch in his arm. “Be nice. Angie’s my lab partner.”

“Oh, so you’re best friends now?” Ralph says.

“Maybe we are,” Tabitha says. “What the hell is your problem, anyway? You left our study session last night, and now it looks like you’re being a dick.”

“Ease up,” Eli says. He turns to Ralph. “You having a bad day, man?”

“My day is just fine,” Ralph says. “I’m going to go read up for my next class. Ciao.” He ambles off.

I’m still breathing quickly, but I force myself to calm down.

“What the hell was that all about?” Eli asks.

“I don’t know,” Tabitha says. “He’s your friend.”

“He’s my lab partner,” Eli says. “I hardly know him.”

I stare down the hall, making sure Ralph has safely ducked into the library. “He’s just a dick.”

Tabitha lays a hand on my shoulder. “What did he do to you, Angie?”

“Nothing. He’s a dick. He acted like a dick. That’s what dicks do.” I draw in a breath. “You want to get a cup of coffee?”

“Actually, I have to do some reading up for my next class as well.” She pats my shoulder. “This lab cancellation is actually a godsend. I’m so behind.”

Eli widens his eyes. “I’ll get a cup with you.”

“Sounds good.” I purse my lips. “But I don’t want the cafeteria coffee. Let’s go to Starbucks.”