I almost have to laugh at myself. Maybe it would have been better if we’d had the kid along to give us a tour. But I’m not about to admit that out loud – and if I ever see him again, you best believe I’ll let him know that we didn’t need him at all.
We explore the rest of the campus at a leisurely pace, taking everything in. Whenever I can, I dispense some little snippets of wisdom from my own time as a student. I feel confident that, even if the technology and some of the buildings might have changed, a lot of my tips still ring true. Maybe Casey doesn’t exactly need any advice about using the library’s fax machines, but she can definitely improve her student experience with things I picked up on both sides of the pond – things that you could use at any college in the world.
I find that I don’t want the tour to end. I drag it on for as long as I can, but finally I have to admit that I’ve shown Casey everything there is to show here. Everything I can remember, at least.
And that means I’m going to have to come up with another excuse – because I definitely don’t want this to be goodbye.
CHAPTER FOUR
Casey
Every step brings me a new view of something else to fall in love with about this school. The mixture of modern and older buildings, the students walking around the campus, the different recreational opportunities, even some of the clubs – it all sounds great to me.
I can really see myself studying here. I didn’t know if that was going to be possible, but I really love it.
But the college might not be the only thing I’m falling for.
When I interact with men my Dad’s age, they tend to be stuffy and old, showing the two decades between us by the way they act. They talk about things that go above my head, and they disapprove of just about everything my generation loves or creates. Forty might as well be sixty as far as my Dad’s other friends are concerned.
But Edward is nothing like any of them. I’m starting to wish that I knew him before all of this – that I’d taken the time to talk to him when he was still in the US. Of course, it never occurred to me back then – and when I knew he was leaving to come to England, what was the point?
He’s been here for long enough that his accent has started to change, and it’s totally hot. Every now and then he says something that’s just so completely British – like calling the student rep a jobsworth – and it’s thrilling. I’ve never met anyone like him.
“Well, that’s King’s,” Edward says, hesitating. We stand facing one another outside the main reception building. The place where we first met up. We’ve walked everywhere and seen everything, and there’s nothing left to look at. It’s a shame. I feel like I could carry on talking to him forever. “What are your plans now? Are you looking anywhere else?”
“Yeah, I’m going to take a tour around Royal Holloway in three days. I’m here for a week. Dad wanted me to get a feel for the city itself as well as just looking at the schools themselves.”
“That’s a good plan,” Edward smiles. “But, do you know anyone else here? Or are you totally on your own?”
“I’m on my own,” I say, with a little nervous smile. “Dad said he would have come with me, but he had this big thing at work. Anyway, it’s fine. I’ve been nervous about exploring on my own, but when I come back in September I’ll be on my own again anyway. I’ve got to get used to it.”
“Well, you’re not completely alone,” Edward says thoughtfully. “I know you want to be independent, but it’s also nice to have a friend around. And when you start your course in September, you’ll have other students in the same boat to hang around with. Why don’t I spend some more time with you this week? I could show you more of the city, help you to get your bearings.”
“Oh!” I can’t help but grin. The opportunity to spend some more time with the hottest man in London? Possibly in the whole world? Like I’m going to say no. “That sounds amazing. Thank you.”
“It’s not a problem,” Edward says. “I can show you around tomorrow. Actually – what are your plans for dinner?”
Dinner – with Edward? I think someone needs to pinch me, because I’m either dreaming or I’ve died and gone to heaven.
“I don’t have any,” I say. “I was going to see what was around, and if I couldn’t find anything, there’s always room service at the hotel.”
“Then you’re coming out with me,” Edward says, smiling. “Just let me make a call or two, and we can go.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Edward
I step away from Casey to get some privacy, leaving her on a stone bench outside the reception area. I had plans for tonight, but that doesn’t mean I have to keep them.
“Hello, sir?” It’s my assistant, James, who answers the call. He’s always around when I need him – even though I should have been done with work until tonight’s get together, there’s always something that comes up.
“Ah, James. Tonight’s dinner – I need you to cancel it.”
There’s a pause on the other end of the line. “Cancel it, sir?” James replies hesitantly.
“Yes.” I don’t necessarily like to torture him, but it is fun to hear him trying to wrestle with the politeness that’s been drilled into him since birth, and the fact that it sounds like a ridiculous thing for me to do.
“But…” James pauses, then the politeness
