It must've been when I... you know what? I'll get you a new one." Sh

know," he said,

lina's brow furr

d deliberate. He took a few slow steps to

vely stiffened, caught between holding her ground and stepping back. But before either could

m, their faces alight with curiosity

ebe, and this is Megan. Um,

e before walking off, his

ered, watching him go. "The hell?

eriously. It was like talking to a brick wall. I

What kind of person just br

cold, distant vibe. "He was so cold, lik

should see how many people are kissing his ass." Merlina

," Megan said, almost teasing. "Is ther

ged, feeling

But trust me, he'

businessman, Charles Lesnar, CEO of CCL Group, and the mo

feel a flicker of interest

g. "He's a walking ick. Craig Lesnar is

Craig Lesnar. It wasn't just his height or the shar

else mattered. He moved with an icy coolness, a force field of dont talk to

ming, I don't ever wanna have a conversati

glances, sensing Merlina's distract

oice laced with a

him. "Maybe not bad. Just... closed off. He definit

more casual chatter, but Merlina's mind stayed o

t? So obnoxious," Phoebe grumbled, cl

in her voice undeniable. "Probab

fting toward the direction Craig had walked

ed. "Mini Go

em slightly, her gaze lingering on the empty spot where Craig had vanished. There was

ading toward Phoebe's car. The cool evening

stuck on the earl

hat were you even up to with Craig Lesnar?" Phoebe asked, raising an

his handbook," she said, of

k. "Oh," she said, dragging the

Craig that made everything feel more... complicated? Why was it such a big deal tha

the soft glow of her desk lamp casting a warm light around her. She he

listair and Melissa. Fiona, her soon-to-be step mother was somewhere

e, exciting," Merlina said, trying t

Did you make any friends? Like, rea

ng. "Real-ish friends, I guess. My r

hearted. "And your professors? Are they str

d earlier. "Oh, definitely strict. One already gave us a s

een. "That's college for yo

per than Merlina was used to. "Just stay focused, Mer

r attention wasn't entire

ndbook she already got Craig Lesnar sat-a silen

. Of course she didn't tell them abou

all. "Did you cry today? I know you alre

't. Not eve

rom the screen. "P

remember what I said-keep your head down, do

settling in her chest as she respon

, the call ended, and

hat had been there now gone. She sank into the pil

Survived.

wn, she knew this wa