Page 96 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 1

My stomach knotted. "The divorce isn't official yet. Apparently she won't sign the papers."

Melissa scrunched her mouth to the side. I could tell that she still thought Professor Hunter was sleazy. She definitely didn't approve. But she didn't know how sincere he was when he talked to me. He didn't love his soon to be ex-wife.

"Are you sure he's telling you the truth?" she asked.

"Well, that brings me to this morning. It really seemed like he was, but I wanted to look it up to make sure. And I found an interview with his wife saying that everything was fine between them. So I freaked out."

"You need to learn how to control your temper, Penny. I get being upset, but ruining your Comm speech because of it? You probably failed."

"It would have been easy to get over before my speech if I didn't have to see him while I was giving it."

"I thought you said he wasn't in your class?"

"He isn't exactly." I took a deep breath. "He teaches it. James is the guy from the coffee shop. He's Professor Hunter."

Melissa laughed. "Right, like you'd date a professor."

I stared back at her.

Melissa's jaw dropped. "You're shitting me, Penny?"

"Ever since meeting him in the coffee shop I couldn't stop thinking about him. And seeing him in class three times a week made it impossible to get over him."

Melissa just stared at me.

"I wanted to tell you right away, but if anyone found out, we might get in trouble. And he came over today after my meltdown in class. He promised me that he was telling the truth about his wife. And I believe him. If you could have seen how upset he was that I was mad at him... He would never hurt me." I knew I was rambling but Melissa was still just staring at me. "He asked me to be his girlfriend. And I said yes. I know it probably sounds crazy, but I want to be with him. Melissa, please say something."

"Well it makes sense now."

"What?"

"Dating James is against the rules. Tyler was a safe choice, but you wanted a bad boy."

"That's not true."Was it true?I found Professor Hunter irresistible. Was I drawn to him because he wasn't good for me?

"Your boyfriend is a married professor. And you're a student. So, yes, I think you could classify him as a bad boy. Penny, bad boys are exciting, but they are always the wrong choice. Haven't you ever seen a romantic comedy?"

"Melissa, you don't even know him. He makes me so happy. He's wonderful." And sexy and dangerous.Oh my God, I've fallen for a bad boy.

"He makes you miserable, Penny! You've been a mess this whole past week. I've never seen you this upset and crazy before."

"Because I love him! And I was heartbroken when I thought it was over."

"I'm sorry, I am. I don't want to be judging you, but..."

"Then don't. Just be happy for me."

Melissa scrunched her face to the side again. "I'm sorry. I am happy for you. So you really love him, huh?"

"Yes." I smiled.

"I need to meet him."

"Okay, you can definitely meet him now. He almost stayed today but I told him I needed to talk to you first."

"Thanks. I would not have appreciated being blindsided with this. I can't believe you're dating your professor!"

"And you can't tell anyone, Melissa."