Conflicted

My heart sinks a little. I have a one in fifty chance. Not the best odds, even with my exceptional marks. I’m already consoling myself on not being chosen.

“He did seem particularly interested in you, though, Lacey,” she adds, her eyes twinkling. “And I shouldn't be telling you this, but I may have indicated if I had to choose one student for him to interview, it would have to be you.”

I blush, embarrassed by her praise. She’s always telling me how far she thinks I will go, and I usually brush her comments off, but for once her words are actually sinking in. Maybe I could do this. Maybe I do have a chance.

“Thanks, Professor Jameson. That means a lot.” In the back of my mind I can’t help but wonder if my father has anything to do with Aaron’s interest in me. That would be one sure way to rattle the opponent…

“I'll email you through the information now.” Professor Jameson’s voice cuts through my thoughts. “Fill out the form and send it back to me as soon as you can. There are a few questions you need to answer. Take your time, but get it done soon, okay?”

“I will,” I promise her, already itching to get home and start.

I watch her leave, my mind a jumble of thoughts. I stand up, needing fresh air to process all of this. Aaron Wilmot. Holy shit. If anything was ever out of my reach, it would have to be this. I laugh. Just ten seconds ago I was letting myself believe I had a chance at this, and now I’m back to being negative. I hate being the girl who lacks confidence in herself and who questions everything, but what can I say? I’m a product of my upbringing.

Chapter Two

Lacey

My fingers clasped behind my head, I wander outside, trying to think and not think at the same time. I’m lost. I don’t know where to go from here, but I can’t deny the excitement that is building inside me. What if I got this? Imagine what it could do for my career. Not only that, imagine learning from Aaron Wilmot. I close my eyes and laugh. This is fucking crazy. My iPad pings and I pull it out, hoping it’s the email from Professor Jameson. It is, and I’m grinning like an idiot as I wander through the courtyard, reading it.

I park myself under the large oak tree outside the library and wait for Lucas. It’s going on four hours now, but I’m not nearly as annoyed as I should be because I have other things on my mind. I pick up my iPad and navigate to Google, and do something that I’m ashamed to admit I’ve done before: I perform a search on Aaron Wilmot. He’s one of the very few celebrities—for the lack of a better word—who make me blush when I think of them. My heart flutters as I type in his name. His image flashes up on the screen and I sigh. Lord, you’d think I was ogling Chris Hemsworth instead of a middle-aged lawyer.

In spite of his age, there’s no denying how sexy Aaron is. I've seen him numerous times on the news, talking about one case or another that he was working on, but his ridiculous good looks still make my heart race. I click on an image of him attending a function and bite my lip. Dressed in a black suit, he smiles at the camera, his dark eyes almost penetrating the lens. My heart begins to beat faster as his intense stare pierces through me.

I close my iPad and sigh, leaning my head against the damp bark of the tree trunk. Okay, so I can't deny that maybe I have a tiny crush on the guy, which I’m sure makes me like every other woman who has laid eyes on him. Does he have a girlfriend? Probably not. He looks like the type of guy who goes from woman to woman. I chuckle, a thought hitting me.

He’s Lucas, but twenty years older.

“Yo, I half expected you to have deserted me.”

Glancing up, I’m both embarrassed and annoyed at being caught out mid-thought—especially that thought. Lucas flops down next to me and sighs, a smirk on his face.

“Can we go now?” I ask testily. I'm anxious to get home and start my application, and possibly spend time digging up whatever I can find on Aaron.

“Give me a minute,” he grumbles, rolling his eyes. His dark hair flops over his face. He brushes it out of the way and sits forward, his arms resting on his knees. “What's the rush?”

“I've been sitting here doing fuck all, waiting for you for the last four hours,” I grumble, gathering my things. I stand up and shuffle from one foot to the other, hoping he gets the hint. “Excuse me if I have other things I need to do.”

“You're in a mood,” Lucas chuckles. “Oh wait, you're a chick. Mood swings are your thing.”

I reach over and swat his arm, not in the least bit amused.

“Come on, Lace,” he groans. “You know I’m sorry about messing up your day. Can I at least buy you a coffee before I take you home?”

“A double caramel latte?” I frown, biting my lip. He nods and I get to my feet. I could use the energy boost. Crap. He always knows the way to my heart. “Okay, but don't think I'm done being annoyed at you.”

“If you want to waste your energy, go right ahead. It’s too nice a day for me to give a shit.” He grins, shrugging his shoulders.

I hate that he’s always so laid back—especially when I stress about everything.

He steps forward so he’s in line with me and throws his arm around my neck, pulling me against him. I squirm away, but eventually give in to his charm, nuzzling against his neck.

“A smile!” he exclaims, stroking my cheek. He plants a kiss on my chin as I groan. “You’ve made my day, Lace.”

“Thought you didn’t care,” I mutter, my eyes narrowing.

“Yeah, well, maybe I lied about that.”

I roll my eyes. What else does he lie about? But I know I’m lucky to have a friend like him. Someone who would do anything for me, no matter the cost. And I’d do the same for him.