Chapter 6

Emily

I drank some water and adjusted my glasses. Because of the infection I'd had with my contact lenses for about three months, I needed to rest my eyes; going back to wearing regular glasses had been difficult. Liv sat down next to me.

"What did I miss?"

"I have no idea. Charlotte arrived with red eyes and hasn't said a word. Maddie's furious; you know, she's a sweetheart, but if she gets really angry, she'll outshine Aunt Margaret. And Soph just arrived, fuming."

"Shit."

"I'm going to the bathroom, this beautiful celebration is going to last a while."

I washed my hands when I finished, went outside, and headed to Aunt Patricia's kitchen. I was very thirsty, so I adjusted my glasses, got some blackberry juice from the refrigerator, and sat down at the large island. I loved the big family that had been created from that awful time our parents had experienced. Mom never talked about it, and neither did Dad.

"Aren't you at the party?"

I closed my eyes. Dr. Adrian did exactly the same thing I did, pouring himself some juice. He was so handsome, not just physically, like a caramelized model; it was his intelligence, his seriousness, his bearing. Like a fool, I fell under his spell once again.

"I've never seen you wearing glasses before."

"I have an infection that is already under control, my eye is not red, but I cannot wear contact lenses until three months have passed."

"You spoke." Heat rushed to my face. The doctor smiled; that was undoubtedly his most lethal weapon. He had a beautiful smile. "Emily, I've postponed this request from Lucas, but I want to be clear with you. I apologize in advance if my assessment is incorrect, and I hope you'll correct me if I'm wrong." His dark eyes exuded confidence. Don't even think about sighing, Emily.

"What's wrong?" I brought the glass of blackberry juice to my mouth.

"Lucas wants you as his pupil." I almost choked. I managed to calm down.

"Me? I'm finishing my second semester."

"That's what I told him, but he insists. I'll see you at the clinic on Monday to give you the knowledge tests."

"Thank you."

"Not me. Thank Lucas. But I want to be clear about something."

"Whatever." That sounded silly, but it didn't matter. I'd be closer to Adrian, and that was a win for me. "Tell me?"

"Stop looking at me like a lovesick girl." My eyes widened; my face must have been blazing. "That's why I told you: if I was wrong, let me know. I've noticed the way you look at me, and it makes me uncomfortable. I don't want to... You're a child." I wanted the floor to open and swallow me whole.

"Next semester you'll be my student. I, Adrian Kensington Sinclair, don't mix work, much less get involved with students." He wanted to speak, but couldn't. Judging by the flush that reached his neck, I assumed I hadn't been mistaken. I'm more than seven years older than you, girl. Another thing. When you're my student, no one will know we're related.

"We are not family."

"I disagree. I see you as a cousin. I'll see you on Monday, Miss Carter. If you pass the exam, you'll be Lucas's and my student on the project in the neural field. It would be a great opportunity for you. Excuse me."

I didn't know how to feel, whether to cry at the painfully polite way he had thrown my foolish crush back in my face or scream with joy about working with them. People say professional success and romance don't mix. Shit! I didn't argue with him, which means he now knows how in love I am...—I covered my face.

"What are you doing here?"

"Mom, you know me, my books are my thing. The party is lovely, but... "

Adrian left the kitchen." Hide everything, Emily," I smiled.

"Yessss! He came to tell me that he's expecting me at BrightMind Medical Center on Monday to give me an entrance exam. Lucas wants me as his pupil!" Mom's eyes widened.

"That's great news, daughter. I don't understand any of that stuff you like so much, but as Michael and I said, we'll never interfere with your wishes. We just want to see you happy."

"Thanks, Mom. I'm going back to see my friends. I'll be working with the esteemed Dr. Lucas Hayes!"

I went back to the table where everyone was eating and smiled like an idiot. I didn't know if this is the best thing or not. I'll be working with him and at the university. In three months he'll be my professor.

"What makes you so happy?"

"Lucas wants me to be his pupil." Everyone's eyes widened.

"Does that mean you'll be working with my brother?" I asked Soph's comment.

They all knew about my silly crush. I shrugged, looked over at him, his arm around the waist of this stunning woman: tall, slender, with a thousand plastic curves, but that was definitely his style.

"Girls, I'll have the address of Alexander's fight tomorrow." We all looked at Liv. "Want to come with me? Remember, our parents can't find out."

"Will everyone be there?" Maddie asked, interested.

"That quintet is the same as ours." We looked at Charlotte. When you have the address, send it to the chat.

"Okay, so, will you come with me?" My heart was beating like never before; I had never done anything out of the ordinary.

"I'm going too," I said before I could think.

"It's settled. We're all going," declared our future lawyer.