Chapter 4

Rowan's POV

His outburst startles everyone around us. The room goes dead quiet.

I look at his face, all twisted up, and it's almost funny how pathetic he looks.

"Wyatt, we broke up three years ago. I left because we were done. Where I went, who I talk to now, that's my business. I don't owe you updates."

"Done?" Wyatt laughs like I just told the world's dumbest joke. He leans down, plants both hands on the couch behind me, caging me in. "You think you can just pretend none of it happened? You owe me, Rowan. And you're never gonna make it right."

I frown slightly. Still the same self-centered, arrogant rich boy. In his head, I loved him so much that leaving was betrayal. Unforgivable.

"Wyatt!" Gemma snaps, voice dripping with jealousy. She rushes over, yanks him back, glares at me.

"Wyatt, why are you even wasting your breath on her? Rowan, you came here to check up on him, didn't you? Trying to worm your way back in? Dream on."

She pauses. Smiles mean.

"Although, since you're this pathetic, I guess I can help you out. Tomorrow morning I'm meeting the principal investigator. I heard the lab still needs cleaners. Pay's not great, but it's something. Show up at the department office tomorrow. I'll put in a word. Maybe if she's in a good mood, she'll throw you a bone."

"Cleaning toilets? Perfect for Rowan!"

"Gemma, you're so sweet. Being nice to your boyfriend's ex like this."

"Rowan, aren't you gonna thank her?"

Laughter erupts again.

Then someone knocks on the door.

A middle-aged woman in a business suit and dark-rimmed glasses steps inside. I recognize her. Rebecca Richardson. The department chair's personal assistant.

"Rebecca? What are you doing here?" Gemma lights up. Rushes over.

Rebecca glances at Gemma. Nods politely. "Gemma, the chair wanted me to let you know. Tomorrow morning at ten, Conference Room One in the department office. The principal investigator will interview you herself. Please be on time. Her schedule is packed."

"Of course! Thank you so much!" Gemma's voice shakes with excitement. She shoots me a triumphant look. Her eyes practically scream: what do you have that I don't?

The door closes. The room buzzes with energy.

"Oh my god, Gemma, the chair sent his personal assistant to tell you in person! That's insane!"

Brittany's practically squealing.

Gemma smooths her hair, trying to look humble, but she can't hide how smug she is. She looks at me like I'm a bug.

"Did you hear that, Rowan? Tomorrow at ten, I'm meeting the person who decides everything. One word from me and you won't even get to mop floors in that lab."

She leans in. Lowers her voice. "Stay away from Wyatt. Or I'll make your life hell in Boston."

I sit there, hands folded in my lap, perfectly relaxed.

"Really, Gemma? Don't make promises you can't keep. A lot can happen before tomorrow."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Gemma frowns.

"Nothing."

"Rowan, enough." Wyatt's voice cuts through the noise. "Stop embarrassing yourself. Gemma's trying to help you and you're throwing it back in her face. Was everything you did before just an act?"

I look at Wyatt. Almost want to laugh.

"Wyatt, does it matter what I was like before?" I set my glass down. Stand up. He's taller than me, but I don't feel small. Not anymore.

I smooth the front of my coat. Look around at every smug face in the room. My voice comes out cold and clear.

"We have nothing in common. This is too loud. I'm out."

I ignore Wyatt's darkening face or Gemma's barking. Turn toward the door.

Suddenly the door slams open from the outside.

Rebecca's back.

She's breathing hard. Forehead shining with sweat.

"Rebecca? Did you forget something? Does the chair need me for something else?" Gemma plasters on another fake smile. Rushes forward.

But Rebecca doesn't even look at Gemma. Her eyes sweep the room fast, and the moment her gaze lands on me, her whole body goes rigid.

The next second, she strides straight to me, bends into a deep bow, and her voice shakes with emotion.

"Dr. Spencer! Good to see you here!"

The air gets sucked out of the room.

Dead silence.

Every face turns to stone. Derek's mouth hangs open. Brittany drops her glass. It shatters on the floor. Wyatt's eyes go wide, locked on me like I just grew a second head.

And Gemma. Her smile shatters.

"Rebecca... what... what did you just call her?" Gemma's voice trembles. There's fear in it now.