Adrian’s POV
The red pen in my hand hovered over a half-written essay, the kind that dragged on with no substance. Normally, I’d scrawl a merciless comment and move on. Tonight, though, my concentration kept slipping.
Lucy’s name burned at the back of my mind.
I was halfway through forcing myself to keep reading when the knock came. Not brisk. Not formal. Casual. Too casual.
“Professor Wolfe?”
Daniel.
I set the pen down deliberately, letting the seconds pass. When I finally opened the door, he stood there leaning against the frame like he owned the place—tie loosened, sleeves rolled, that smile too easy to be real.
“Evening,” he said, strolling in without waiting for permission.
I closed the door behind him, jaw tight. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
He gestured vaguely toward th
