Chapter 66

Audrey & Edwin

Audrey's POV

I felt a wave of relief wash over me as the technician removed the lie detector sensors from my body. The camera's red light. blinked off, and I let out a breath I didn't even realize I had been holding this whole time.

Mr. Lewis cleared his throat. "Well, Miss Thatcher, it seems you've passed the lie detector test. If you wouldn't mind stepping outside for a moment so we could discuss what happens next....

I nodded, rising from my chair on shaky legs. Edwin, still staring at me with widened eyes, opened the door for me. The silence in the hallway was deafening when he closed it behind me.

For what felt like an eternity, I paced back and forth in that hallway. The voices in the room were mu**d and quiet, making it impossible for me to eavesdrop-and I did try, for what it was worth. My future was at stake in that room. My education was at stake. My internship was at stake.

Not just mine, but Edwin's, too.

I wondered, as I paced there, if I had made a mistake by lying about my relationship to Edwin. I had carefully left out his role in our attraction; our one night stand, our kisses... everything. I felt guilty for that But what was I supposed to do? His job was at stake, too. I had to do something, so I had settled on a half-truth.

"Miss Thatcher?"

The sound of Ms. Morrie's voice snapped me out of my deep thought, and I whirled on my heel to see her poking her head out of the office. She beckoned to me, and I jogged after her. Once I stepped into the room, I saw that the lie detector technician was packing up his machine and that the camera had been put away.

"We have made a decision," Mr. Lewis said as I took my seat, my eyes briefly scanning the room. Edwin was standing by the window, looking out with his jaw set hard. Seeing him like that made my heart race a bit.

"And?" I asked, my voice hardly more than a whisper.

Mr. Lewis and Ms. Morrie exchanged glances before Mr. Lewis spoke. "You may keep your internship."

All at once, it felt as if all of the bones and muscles in my body gave way. The sigh of relief that escaped my lips was practically palpable in the air, and I slumped down in my chair. "Thank you," I breathed. "Thank you so much-"

"However," Ms. Morrie interjected abruptly, "given your... admitted attraction to Professor Brooks, we feel it's best if you no longer work as his TA. After spring break, you will be reassigned to a different professor."

with?" Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw Edwin's shoulders stiffen

but be disappointed, but perhaps it was for the best. A lot of my issues so far this

1/3

00012%

21:12 Mon, Sep 16

Chapter 66

H

my wins this semester had stemmed from being too close to

New Year's Eve

spoke up for the first time since the test began, turning and smoothing down his vest. "I agree with this

off of me. It was over, and I had kept

of the dean's office, Edwin pulled me aside by the strap of my bag. "Audrey, why did you lie on the test?" he hissed, keeping his voice low so as not

in his eyes. "I... I wasn't fully

frowned and placed a hand on his hip.

the whole truth about New Year's Eve. I didn't want you to lose your

of a large company. I would have been fine. You

him to cut

can withstand a lot more than you think. Your future,

with a stranger at a bar that night-not my professor. We had no idea about each other's

stunned by my words, his mouth opening and closing a few times as if struggling to find the right words to say. After a few moments, he finally said softly, "Well.. Thank you for your integrity, Audrey. Not many would have done what you

that wasn't really wrong." I replied. "We didn't know who each other was that night. It's not like

said, "it was a risk. One

a step back, fighting the urge to hug him. Instead, I nervously adjusted my bag on my shoulder and held

his jaw. Finally, he took my hand, and his palm was large and warm against mine. "The pleasure was mine, Miss Thatcher.

history," I said as we shook hands, trying

into a small smile. "As will I. You have a unique perspective

face turning beet red. The warmth of his hand lingered on mine, and it was all I could do

Edwin's POV

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255