The Fear of Falling

Chapter Thirty Three

Gavin pushed open the door and led me into the banquet hall. My head spun as I scanned my surroundings.

Dozens of round tables with long, dark linens waited in the center of the room while an elaborate display decorated the back wall.

Professors and students mingled amongst themselves, all dressed in formal wear and plastering on their best smiles.

I glanced at the stage. A podium stood in the center. The banner behind it welcomed me to the tenth annual university charity auction.

Hunter used to ramble on about it all the time; he'd have a stroke if he knew I'd finally agreed to attend.

My attention turned back to Gavin and his slicked back hair. He waved, genuinely, to someone standing in the back of the room and the blue stage lights danced off of his rings.

Before we entered the crowd, I cleared my throat. "What if Professor Dames sees us together?"

Gavin laughed, easing my nerves with his smile. "Mr. Dames is too busy getting wine drunk with his wife to show up at university events."

Somehow, that didn't make me feel any better.

"And if he did, we'll say we came alone."

Yeah, he'll buy that.

By the time we reached the auction display, I had thought of a million ways the night could end in flames.

Then, cause of impending doom number one sauntered over.

"You made it!" Mac opened her arms and stepped toward Gavin. He met the gesture with an awkward smile.

I swallowed my internal laughter.

Can't get a hug? That's too bad. Last night his dick was stretching my-

"Well," Mac plastered on a smile and ignored her blatant rejection. "I saved you both seats by my date and I."

"You didn't have to do that." Gavin met her scheming eyes.

Mac tilted her chin, welcoming him to start a fight in a room full of their future coworkers. "I wanted to."

I cleared my throat and stepped in before they could verbally shred each other to pieces, despite how tempting it sounded. "Where's the table?"

Mac blinked and dragged her attention to me. She pointed using her long witch nails. "To the right of the stage. My date is the one in the navy sports coat."

"Thanks." I nodded before turning to my date for the evening. "Ready to introduce me to that friend you mentioned earlier?"

Mac and Gavin looked at me like I had grown another head right in front of them.

"You know, the one you've told me all about?" I widened my eyes just enough for Gavin to catch on.

A smirk crept onto his face. "Oh, right. He's over this way."

Before Mac could argue, Gavin led me away from the display table and towards the crowd.

He placed his hand on my lower back, guiding me to a high-top table.

The men standing around it took labored sips from their short glasses.

I furrowed my eyebrows and turned. "I thought we were just escaping Mac."

Gavin chuckled. "I want you to meet my roommate from freshman year."

Freshman Gavin?

A smile crept onto my face at the thought. "I don't know. That sounds kind of serious."