“Since we are going to be spending so much time together, I thought you might like to give Mr. Snuggles a chance to get to know you better,” he practically purred. “Or, better yet, give me back my damn Instagram password.” I knew he was just trying to get a reaction out of me. So in as calm of a voice as I could muster, I politely told him to get fucked.

I spun on my heels, prepared to stomp off back to my apartment and come up with a way to get back at Oakley, when he grabbed my wrist and spun me around to face him. My free hand collided with his chest, and I looked up at him with a gasp. “This doesn’t have to be so hard,” he rasped, migrating his hands to my hips.

Fucking hell, he was hot. But I knew guys like him. Hell, I’d fawned over plenty of men that played this role well. Attractive. Well-connected. Panty-meltingly sexy. It was predictable and painful to watch. I didn’t give a rat’s ass if he wanted to throw his reputation and future away. I had plans to work with talent that had integrity. I was the garbage woman in his dumpster fire of a career, and there was no way in hell that I’d let him burn me alive with him.

“I know we got off to a bad start,” I began, taking a step back. I needed distance from him if I was going to establish myself clearly. The scent of his cologne was too tempting to form coherent statements otherwise. “I know you don’t care about your career. Or your image. Or your grades. Or who you stick your dick into. Or—”

“Does this have a point?” he asked with a frown.

“Yes,” I said, smoothing my shirt. “It does.” He tilted his chin up and stared at me with defiance, but the playfulness from earlier had disappeared from his gaze. “I really need this internship. I really need to graduate early and get out of here. I’m going to keep you organized, keep you out of trouble, and make your life easier. I am sorry for my intrusiveness this morning, but I will do whatever is necessary to pass, regardless of what you want.”

He licked his lips, and I glared at the movement. Why the hell did this dude have to be so distractingly sexy?

“I look forward to the challenge,” he replied before storming off.

You and me both, asshole.

6

It had been exactly ten days after my shitshow of a meeting with Dr. Haynes. Ten days, seventeen manifestation meditation videos, one ethics paper, and three M&M’s later, I was finally starting to make some progress. I was sitting at the kitchen island, denying tag requests on Oakley’s Facebook from Ashleigh Delta Delta Drunk and debating on a fourth M&M when Shelby walked in.