Forbidden Desire 18+

Chapter Twenty Six

ISABELLA MATTIA

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The test I had this morning for our laboratory class went a lot better than expected. I think so anyway. Our results won't be posted until next week but I think I understood the questions and directions.

Charlotte loops her arm through mine and squeals but it's not a happy one. "I don't know how that went," she frowns. "I think I knew what they were asking but I fear I just made it up."

"At this stage, winging it is our only option," I say lightheartedly.

"Yeah," she sighs. "I hope I got at least seventy percent."

I squeeze her arm. "I'm sure you will. You're top of the class."

"So are you," she offers me a smile. "Can we go grab a coffee at the SU? I'm not ready to go to the library yet."

"Sure," I say with a nod.

We walk into the cafe section of the SU bar and I find Charlotte shuddering beside me. I drop her arm and watch her eye line, it's directed at a guy who's by the counter with a dark apron on. I blink at him.

"Wait," I pause. "Is that the guy you're seeing?"

Charlotte doesn't turn to me for a second, she inhales with love hearts in her eyes. "Yeah," she murmurs. "He's absolutely gorgeous, isn't he? And totally out of my league."

I shake my head. "Never."

We approach the counter as he turns towards us, his eyes fall on Charlotte and he beams at her presence and then turns to me with a little acknowledgement. Charlotte's right, he does have an edgy side to him. Not quite the book nerd I was expecting.

His hair is jett black in a shaggy yet perfectly placed kind of way. He has light green eyes that are paired with long lashes. I flick my eyes down to his nose where he's got a piercing through one of his nostrils. Rings on his fingers. He's missing tattoos to keep up the bad boy persona.

Definitely not Charlotte's functional type but I'm here for an opposites attract kind of story.

"Char," he drops her a wink. "What a nice surprise."

"Hey, Rhett," she blushes and it's adorable. "Uh, Isabella, this is Rhett. Rhett, this is Isabella. I've told you about her before. She's my absolute rock with my degree, without her I don't know where I'd be."

I turn back to Rhett who is already watching me. "It's nice to meet you," I offer.

"You too, Isabella," he grins. "This one can't stop talking about you."

A laugh rumbles from my chest. "Good things I hope."

"Na, pretty much everything," he states and I look at Charlotte whose face is brighter than the sun. "Anyway, what do you guys want?"

Charlotte orders and I get what she's having. She flashes him her perfect smile and flutters her eyelashes, he looks at her like she's his first crush. It's so sweet it's sickening. I lean forward for my drink and Rhett gives it to us for free.

"Thanks, Rhett," I say gratefully.

I watch as Charlotte glances over my shoulder and her expression drops immediately. "Oh, no."

"What?"

My head turns in the direction of her eyes. It's the first time I've seen Jenson in what feels like weeks, probably longer. He's with a bunch of the football guys. To my surprise Kory is with them but he's nowhere near Jenson, hanging back.