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I'm a professor.

I can correct a grown-ass man about my own freaking name.

His smile returns. But it doesn't reach his eyes.

“Of course. Silly me.”

I hold his gaze.

Look at me. Confronting the shit out of this overgrown house cat!

I'm probably going to need a cookie after this.

“Okay, let’s get back to the prizes,” Professor Jacobs says, and the meeting continues.

It lasts another hour.

By the end, we've decided on enchanted lanterns instead of screaming trees, two student DJs instead of a live band, and absolutely no magically enhanced bobbing for apples after Professor Jacobs tells us what happened in 2019.

I don't ask.

Some things are better left unknown.

Everyone begins packing up.

Evangeline and Skye leave together, debating whether they can convince the decorating committee to enchant the ceiling to look like a stormy night. Dora squeezes my arm.

“Coffee tomorrow?”

I hesitate. Only for a second.

“Yeah.”

Her smile is soft.

“Good.”

We are definitely in a truce.

Then she leaves. Which means I don't notice until it's too late that Coach Williams hasn't.

I'm stuffing papers into my bag when his shadow falls across the table.

“So, do you have plans for the Masquerade?”

I don't look up.

“I mean, I'm working it.”

“I know.”

Of course he does.

“I'm asking if you have a date.”

My hands stop.

“No.”