Chapter 64
“That’s just how he is–kind of cold and all business, but he’s honestly not a bad guy. He warms up once you get to know him, really,” Claire laughed it off.
She added, “Josie, we’ll head back to the lab first. You stay here and chat with your roommate a bit longer. No rush…”
Claire jogged after Sean.
Zoey said with a smile while giving Josie’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Claire’s such a character. You’re really lucky, Josie."
“You can’t fake the kind look on your face, and I can tell they truly care about you.
“Go on, I’ll head back to the dorm.”
Josie nodded. “Just think it over again about Aiden Brown.
“I know it’s a bit cruel, but you’ve seen his attitude. Don’t waste any more of your time on him, okay?”
“Yeah, I know,” Zoey replied, giving her a little wave.
Josie wanted to say more, but couldn’t find the right words. In her previous life, she’d seen just how heartbroken Zoey was after Aiden got married.
She understood that Zoey’s feelings for Aiden weren’t something that could be cut off by a few harsh words.
This was going to take time.
Claire sneaked up behind Sean and gave his sleeve a little tug.
She said, “Hey, cousin, don’t tell me you’ve got your eye on the campus belle. Planning to pursue her or what?”
“Go get a brain,” Sean replied. He was weirded out by her thought.
Claire swatted at him. “What’s that supposed to mean? Are you calling me dumb?
“With the way you acted just now, anyone would get the wrong idea. Even Josie and Zoey probably misunderstood!”
“They’re not as bored as you are,” Sean said while peeling her hand off his sleeve, “Remember Colby Clem?”
Claire suddenly caught on. “He likes Zoey?”
“I tried to get him to help out a while ago, but he kept making excuses about being busy,” Sean shot Claire a frosty glance.
Claire burst out laughing. “So now you’re trying to lure him in with a pretty face? If Josie finds out about your little honey trap…”
“What did I do?” Sean replied, looking all innocent.
‘He really does act like he’s got nothing to do with it,’ Claire thought.
Claire was practically in stitches.
She said, “You didn’t do anything. You just got to play the good guy for once. Honestly, our campus heartthrob totally outshines any department’s pretty boy.
“That loser Aiden isn’t even worth a second of our campus belle’s attention!”
Later that afternoon, the lab’s new cabinets and desks arrived.
Sean arranged for people to get everything set up, while Claire and Josie teamed up with rags and mops to give the place a thorough cleaning.
Before long, the lab equipment started arriving as well.
As they were hauling the equipment inside, something unexpected happened.
At the entrance to the lab, David was just about to head upstairs when he bumped into Delilah, who had come by to take a look around.
“Professor Wilcourt!” David paused mid-step by the elevator.
He asked, “Why’d you pick a lab on the first floor? Want me to have a word with the dean and see if we can get you moved upstairs?”
Delilah looked at him like she’d just heard the biggest joke ever.
She said, “This entire lab building was funded by the Reedshaw family. Do I really need you to talk to the dean about which lab I use?
“Or do you think that now my father’s gone, you’re suddenly somebody important?”
‘Otherwise, why would someone who’s kept their distance for so long suddenly come running over just to embarrass himself?’ Delilah thought.
David’s expression soured.
He said, “I attended Leo’s funeral. He was my mentor.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without his guidance, and that’s something I’ll never forget.
“But it seems like you’ve misunderstood me, so you prevented me from going to say my final goodbye to him.”
Delilah hadn’t seen David at the funeral at all.
She’d assumed he had enough self-awareness to stay away, but now it looked like someone had actually blocked him from barging in.
She thought, “Thank goodness for that. At least my mother didn’t have to get upset by the sight of him.’
“Whoever was so thoughtful to keep you out really did us a favor. I’ll have to find a way to thank them properly later,” Delilah said.