Page 88 of Burn Bright (Cobalt Empire #1)

HARRIET FISHER

I sprint across the grassy quad, taking every shortcut known to man. My bookbag thwacks my back, and I just think, I’m late, I’m late, I’m already late. I’d rather be fifteen minutes late to Professor Wellington’s oral exam than three minutes late to meet Ben’s parents.

I am at least fifteen minutes tardy by this point.

It’s one thing to be late meeting a boyfriend’s mom and dad—another thing for that mom and dad to be the Rose Calloway and Connor Cobalt.

Not only are they famous, they’re the types who’d arrive early to the freaking dentist. For unimportant routine events.

They probably think I’m lazy.

Or worse, that I don’t care about Ben enough to make a good first impression.

I can’t believe my Latin professor held me up in office hours. I was submitting extra credit in person, and he basically kept me hostage while he was chatting with another student. I wanted to go, but he kept saying, “Wait, give me a minute.” As though he had some important thing to share with me.

He simply wanted to say, “Job well done this semester.” Normally, I’d appreciate the pat on the back, but not today. NOT TODAY!!

I rush toward Loxley Hall, the largest and most ornate auditorium on campus. Used for guest lectures, research seminars, alumni gatherings, and things of that ilk.

To further emphasize Ben’s parents are so not normal—security guards are posted outside the imposing arched double doors, and clusters of students loiter around the gargoyle turreted building with their phones at the ready, likely hoping to catch a glimpse of the legendary Rose and Connor when they exit.

I speed through the crowds, jogging up the stone steps, and as soon as I reach the door, a random security dude juts out a hand to stop me. These aren’t the Cobalts’ personal 24/7 bodyguards because they would, I’d hope, recognize me by now.

“Miss, are you a business student?”

Rose and Connor are here giving a guest lecture to business students only. The tickets apparently sold out within the first two minutes of hitting MVU’s website. But Ben said we could attend without them, and his parents know he’s introducing me afterward.

“I’m pre-med, but?—”

“You can’t go inside, I’m sorry.”

“I’m with Ben Cobalt.” I step forward—the door is right there, come on.

The security guard bumps me back with a firm palm. “We’ve heard that one all day.”

I, too, would think I’m lying, and I try not to bristle knowing other girls are claiming Ben. Panting for breath, I hurriedly shoot him a text.

Harriet

Outside. They won’t let me in. SOS.

“Head down the stairs, Miss,” the security guard instructs, just as the door whips open. Wow, that was super fast. Ben peeks his head out. The shrieks behind me pierce my ears.

“That’s a Cobalt!”

“BEN!!”

“Is Rose Calloway behind him?”

“Is Connor coming out?!”

“She’s with me,” Ben says quickly to security, then waves me forward.

I bolt past the wall of guards, not even caring to rub my priority status in their face. All I can think is, I am so fucking late.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper to Ben as the heavy doors thunk closed behind us. The checkered marble entryway leads to a set of auditorium doors. It’s hushed in here, except for the faint sound of his mom’s voice. “I meant to be prompt, on time, but I should’ve planned to be early?—”

“I wasn’t even early,” he whispers with a rising smile.

“ Breathe , Fisher.” He’s sliding my bookbag off my arm, fitting Son of Ben in the big pocket.

The golden stuffed lion peeks out. Then he slings my bookbag on his own shoulder, and his hand clasps mine.

“What my parents think of you won’t change my feelings for you at all.

So however this goes, you aren’t getting rid of me. ”

He’s still here.

It helps calm my nerves. My cheeks pinch as a fluttery, weightless feeling soars inside me. “Let’s do the thing, Friend.”

He lifts our cupped hands and kisses my knuckles, as if to say, more than friends.

I grimace to hide my smile. “Thanks, Romeo.”

“Working on your Shakespeare before you meet my parents?”

Should I have studied for this??? “They aren’t going to quiz me?—”

“I’m joking, I’m joking.” He kisses the top of my head. This isn’t that serious, Harriet. I repeat the sentiment as he swiftly leads me into the auditorium. Probably so I stop obsessing.

It is packed. Some heads swivel as Ben gently shuts the door behind us. His hand in mine, he guides me across the back wall where we stand beside several older professor-looking types. We don’t make a fuss trying to find empty seats, and honestly, I’m not sure any exist.

My pulse kicks up an extra notch when Rose, at the podium, makes sudden direct eye contact with Ben, then me.

Her speech never falters, but her yellow-green eyes are as penetrating as Beckett and Charlie’s. If not more so.

Her form-fitting black dress hugs her hourglass curves, and her matte black nails curl around the podium’s frame. She reminds me of Disney’s Maleficent. Powerful, deadly, elegant. I’d be hanging on her every icy word like most of the students here, but I am nervous.

I should’ve taken Benadryl.

My arms itch a little under my cropped sweater top and oversized leather jacket. I asked Ben what I should wear, and he said, “What you normally wear.”

Okay, but my belly button ring is showing. I’m rethinking that decision. She looks classy . I look…trashy?

I whip my leather jacket closed. Too late, Harriet, she’s already seen your stomach bling. Ben frowns down at me because I’ve let go of his hand.

I’m about to reach back for him, but instead, he curves his arm around my shoulders, hugging me closer to his side.

Affection for him floods me so tremendously. He’s too good for this world, maybe too good for me because I didn’t earn Ben. He came into my life without any effort on my part, but I want to hang on to this beautiful, good thing the universe has given me. My Aunt Helena would tell me to, at least.

As I watch Rose, I realize her poise is Ben’s poise. Her confidence is his confidence. It’s so clear he’s her son.

She carries herself with dignity and pride, and I wonder if it’s as bulletproof as they say. After the fallout with my dad yesterday, I want to be indestructible like her. To move forward with armor that Grant Fisher can never pierce.

“I’ll leave you with this.” Rose scans the auditorium with narrowed eyes.

“Take care of yourself.” Her gaze pins to me, then her son.

“I understand those four words might seem simple and futile. In our pursuit of success, we often forget the key to moving forward is not in the distance we run but in how long we can run for.” She takes a beat, then adds, “Even in heels.” The audience claps and woots but they settle quickly as she continues, “So take care of yourself. The stars may be in reach more than you even believe.”

I swear her lip twitches up at me. My heart flip-flops. Was that a secret nod of approval? Already? Yeah, right.

We all clap. She exits to booming applause. The standing ovation is exhilarating. As it dies down, people shift out of rows to leave.

I go wide-eyed up at Ben. “I missed your dad’s entire fucking talk?”

“He won’t test you on it.” His smile soothes me.

“I would’ve liked the opportunity because taking a quiz is way better than missing the material I could’ve been tested on.”

He laughs. “And that’s why I know my mom will love you.” He scrunches the side of my hair, and I bump my weight into him, my sour-puss face morphing into something weirdly smitten, I’m sure.

“Ben.” His bodyguard touches his elbow and whispers, “This way.” We’re directed toward the stage, then into a private lounge for guest speakers at the university.

Rose and Connor are already here.

This morning, I distinctly recall Ben saying, “My parents really aren’t as intimidating as the media makes them out to be.”

I could choke on a laugh. They are so fucking intimidating. Not only are they both way taller than me, but they look like they chew and spit out interns on the daily.

“Mom, Dad,” Ben greets with a widening smile.

He’s not letting go of my hand yet. “This is Harriet Fisher, my girlfriend.” I mentally add temporary (until the holidays) to the relationship status so I don’t pass out.

“She was stuck in office hours, going above and beyond.” He smiles down at me like my nerd habits are cute.

“So she didn’t get a chance to hear you, Dad, but I’ll give her the CliffsNotes later. ”

He just removed a ginormous weight off me from having to overexplain my absence.

“Don’t worry, there won’t be a test.” Connor fucking Cobalt is speaking to me. Not only that, he’s smiling at me, but more like a warm hello of a smile, whereas Rose has pursed lips that twitch like she’s overcaffeinated for this moment.

“That’s what I told her,” Ben grins.

I nod. “He did assure me I wouldn’t be graded.” I work my face a little out of a scowl. “It’s nice to meet both of you. Ben has only said great things.”

“Likewise, he’s talked a lot about you,” Connor says. “It’s good to finally put a face to a name he mentions so often.”

“Very often,” Ben teases. “All the time. Every other word is Harriet , actually.”

I chew my rising lip. “Knew you loved my name, Friend.”

“Friend?” Rose cuts in like a P.I. sniffing out our relationship. “Are you two not officially together?” Her matte black nail points from me to her son.

Thank God I’m with an extrovert. I want to pat myself on the back for this choice in life because Ben quickly clarifies, “It’s just a thing we do. We’re together. You’ll probably hear me call her Friend too.”

His dad bridges the space and holds out a hand to me. “Connor Cobalt. Though I likely don’t need an introduction.”

“No, you don’t.” I try my best to do a good business-like shake. Firm grip but not a death clutch.