Series: Cobalt Empire Series by Krista Ritchie
Total pages in book: 234
Estimated words: 226965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1135(@200wpm)___ 908(@250wpm)___ 757(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 226965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1135(@200wpm)___ 908(@250wpm)___ 757(@300wpm)
I am at least fifteen minutes tardy by this point. It’s one thing to be late meeting a boyfriend’s mom and dad—another thing for that mom and dad to be the Rose Calloway and Connor Cobalt. Not only are they famous, they’re the types who’d arrive early to the freaking dentist. For unimportant routine events.
They probably think I’m lazy.
Or worse, that I don’t care about Ben enough to make a good first impression.
I can’t believe my Latin professor held me up in office hours. I was submitting extra credit in person, and he basically kept me hostage while he was chatting with another student. I wanted to go, but he kept saying, “Wait, give me a minute.” As though he had some important thing to share with me.
He simply wanted to say, “Job well done this semester.” Normally, I’d appreciate the pat on the back, but not today. NOT TODAY!!
I rush toward Loxley Hall, the largest and most ornate auditorium on campus. Used for guest lectures, research seminars, alumni gatherings, and things of that ilk.
To further emphasize Ben’s parents are so not normal—security guards are posted outside the imposing arched double doors, and clusters of students loiter around the gargoyle turreted building with their phones at the ready, likely hoping to catch a glimpse of the legendary Rose and Connor when they exit.
I speed through the crowds, jogging up the stone steps, and as soon as I reach the door, a random security dude juts out a hand to stop me. These aren’t the Cobalts’ personal 24/7 bodyguards because they would, I’d hope, recognize me by now.
“Miss, are you a business student?”
Rose and Connor are here giving a guest lecture to business students only. The tickets apparently sold out within the first two minutes of hitting MVU’s website. But Ben said we could attend without them, and his parents know he’s introducing me afterward.
“I’m pre-med, but—”
“You can’t go inside, I’m sorry.”
“I’m with Ben Cobalt.” I step forward—the door is right there, come on.
The security guard bumps me back with a firm palm. “We’ve heard that one all day.”
I, too, would think I’m lying, and I try not to bristle knowing other girls are claiming Ben. Panting for breath, I hurriedly shoot him a text.
Harriet
Outside. They won’t let me in. SOS.
“Head down the stairs, Miss,” the security guard instructs, just as the door whips open. Wow, that was super fast. Ben peeks his head out. The shrieks behind me pierce my ears.
“That’s a Cobalt!”
“BEN!!”
“Is Rose Calloway behind him?”
“Is Connor coming out?!”
“She’s with me,” Ben says quickly to security, then waves me forward.
I bolt past the wall of guards, not even caring to rub my priority status in their face. All I can think is, I am so fucking late.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper to Ben as the heavy doors thunk closed behind us. The checkered marble entryway leads to a set of auditorium doors. It’s hushed in here, except for the faint sound of his mom’s voice. “I meant to be prompt, on time, but I should’ve planned to be early—”
“I wasn’t even early,” he whispers with a rising smile. “Breathe, Fisher.” He’s sliding my bookbag off my arm, fitting Son of Ben in the big pocket. The golden stuffed lion peeks out. Then he slings my bookbag on his own shoulder, and his hand clasps mine. “What my parents think of you won’t change my feelings for you at all. So however this goes, you aren’t getting rid of me.”
He’s still here.
It helps calm my nerves. My cheeks pinch as a fluttery, weightless feeling soars inside me. “Let’s do the thing, Friend.”
He lifts our cupped hands and kisses my knuckles, as if to say, more than friends.
I grimace to hide my smile. “Thanks, Romeo.”
“Working on your Shakespeare before you meet my parents?”
Should I have studied for this??? “They aren’t going to quiz me—”
“I’m joking, I’m joking.” He kisses the top of my head. This isn’t that serious, Harriet. I repeat the sentiment as he swiftly leads me into the auditorium. Probably so I stop obsessing.
It is packed. Some heads swivel as Ben gently shuts the door behind us. His hand in mine, he guides me across the back wall where we stand beside several older professor-looking types. We don’t make a fuss trying to find empty seats, and honestly, I’m not sure any exist.
My pulse kicks up an extra notch when Rose, at the podium, makes sudden direct eye contact with Ben, then me.
Her speech never falters, but her yellow-green eyes are as penetrating as Beckett and Charlie’s. If not more so.
Her form-fitting black dress hugs her hourglass curves, and her matte black nails curl around the podium’s frame. She reminds me of Disney’s Maleficent. Powerful, deadly, elegant. I’d be hanging on her every icy word like most of the students here, but I am nervous.