Page 58 of Not In The Contract

I didn’t want her to think I was being childish or ungrateful. The truth was that this was the opportunity of a lifetime. But I botched it up at almost every turn and I was so tired of it.

“I know it won’t be forever,” I told her. “But time is precious to Alex, and I feel as if I’m a burden.”

Paula giggled softly and I shot her a glare brimming with reproach.

“Believe me, Devon,” she chortled, “if Alex had a real problem with you, she would have gotten rid of you ages ago.”

“Really?” I asked, half hopeful.

“Oh, yes,” she said, her gaze suddenly severe. “If there’s one thing Alex is famous for, or ratherinfamous, it’s getting her way.”

My brows bunched, disbelief scuttling between my thoughts. Paula was describing Jamie. Not Alex. While I didn’t doubt that Alex wasn’t the most amenable person, she was definitely not as stubborn as Jamie appeared to be.

“I haven’t gotten that vibe from her at all,” I admitted. “I can see that she’s got a lot of power, but she doesn’t seem like she needs to wield it.”

“That’s a testament to her control, don’t you think?” Paula smirked.

“I guess so,” I murmured, cheeks warming. I got the sense that Alex got her way because she was intelligent and drop dead gorgeous to boot.

“So, what is your worry?”

I blew out a long breath. “I’m worried that I’ll get in her way,” I said. “But if what you say is true, then I guess it should be fine. It does make me feel a little better.”

“Great!” Paula said, clapping her hands together excitedly. “So, tell me about your progress so far. Have you gotten a lot of data to work with?”

“I’ve got something to work with,” I explained. “I’ve learned that she’s gone through a lot; way more than I anticipated.”

“And you’re taking care of yourself as well?”

“Yeah.”

“Because you know that students of psychology aren’t immune to the impact of mental disorders,” she scolded.

“I know.” I groaned. “I’ve got Cece’s number if I need anything.”

I wouldn’t call her, but Paula didn’t need to know that.

“Good, because the last thing we need is you experiencing a crisis on the last leg of your study.”

I was well aware of that; my studies had taken a lot out of me mentally and I couldn’t sacrifice my progress yet.

After a few more updates about class and the dean shirking his responsibilities, Paula dashed back to the campus, and I texted Tamera.

She arrived ten minutes later, bright pink ribbons threaded through her waist-length braids. She tinkled with each step, her gorgeous gold earrings glimmering.

“Hello, my dearest friend,” she sang, scooping me out of my seat and squeezing me tight. “I was about to start planning your funeral.”

“Wow, you’d bypass the search efforts and go straight to me kicking the proverbial bucket?” I giggled.

She sat down with a Tamera-esque flourish and blew me a kiss. “I don’t need a search party to tell me where you’re spending your nights,” she said with a salacious wink.

“In a spare room on the other side of the house,faraway from Alex,” I said sourly.

“Shall I rephrase?” she teased. “I know where youwantto be.”

“Har har,” I mocked, praying the warmth in my cheeks wouldn’t give me away.

“Aw, has it been that long?” She chuckled. “I’m sure you could pull her if you really wanted to.”