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What happens after?
SUMMER
“What are you doing, little dot?”
Bhodi snaps me out of my reverie and I just about manage to slam the cover of my notebook closed, hopefully, before he sees anything.
“Just jotting down some thoughts.” I sigh, thinking of the last item on my list. I really do need to speak to her. I’ve sent her a couple of texts since coming back from the mainland, but she’s not responded to any of them.Maybe I should try and see her?
“I see. Anything juicy?” My cheeks pinken even as I shake my head.
“That blush says otherwise, Miss Van der Zee.”
Somehow Bhodi addressing me so formally like the prof always does makes my blush deepen even more.
“Don’t call me that,” I mutter.
“Sorry, Malia.”
“It’s okay,” I reply awkwardly. It’s not even a big deal. Why am I making it one? Why is it okay for the professor to call me that, but not the others? “I’ll just go and put this inside anyway. Don’t want to get it all sandy.”
I quickly get to my feet and scurry towards the beach house with my notebook clutched to my chest before he can stop me.
I’m hit by a wall and the strangest sense of déjà vu, toppling backwards as soon as I’m through the front door. This time though, I don’t hit the floor, my notebook does.
“Jesus, watch where you’re going,” the professor snaps.
“Sorry.” Why am I apologising? Why is he snapping at me? He’s ignored me for days – after kissing me with no explanation – and now we’re back to the hostility…why?
I stare in dismay as the professor bends down and picks up my notebook, which has landed open on the page I was writing on. His eyes skim my musings before meeting mine. I can’t read the expression on his face; he gives nothing away.
“You have questions.” He sighs.
“I’m overdue answers,” I retort hotly.Of course I have questions! What idiot wouldn’t?What is it about him that gets me all worked up? None of the others get my blood boiling the way he does.
“Maybe.”
“Maybe? What the hell does that mean?” My anger explodes out of me, evaporating the lingering endorphins from my time spent with Reef in the cove. I swear for a second the antique reading lamp in the lounge flickers. “You owe me explanations!”
“I do.”
Oh. That makes me falter. My anger leaves me as quick as it surged and exploded out of me. “Well, when am I going to get them?” I demand, hands on hips, trying to act like I’m still pissed.No, not act like it. Iamstill pissed. I have every right to be.
“Not now. Dinner’s ready.” He puts the notebook on the table by the door and reaches for the handle.
“Y-you can’t just—” I splutter.
He pauses and looks back over his shoulder at me, the barest hint of amusement washing over his face, before his expression is carefully blank once more.
“What can’t I do, Miss Van der Zee?” He raises a brow in challenge.
I ignore the way my heart races at him calling me that and try to focus on my confusing emotions.Anger, Malia. You need to focus on the anger. Not…the other stuff he makes you feel.
“You can’t just…kiss me and leave me hanging. You’ve been avoiding me for days. It isn’t fair.”
He releases the door handle and turns back to face me, stepping closer, invading my space, and looking down on me. “And what exactly made you the most upset? The fact that I kissed you? Or the fact that I didn’t come back for more?”
I gape at him. At his sheer audacity. Is he for real right now?
