Page 211 - The Love Hypothesis

“And I have what you need, don’t I? The research funds. The lab space.

The time and ability to mentor you properly.”
“Yes. You do. I . . .”
All of a sudden, she could pick out the gray rim of his cornea. Had he

gotten closer? He was tall, but not that much taller than her. He didn’t
usually feel this imposing.

“I’m grateful. So grateful. I’m sure that—”
She felt his unfamiliar smell in her nostrils, and his breath, hot and

unpleasant against the corner of her mouth, and—fingers, a vise-tight grip
around her upper arm, and why was he—what was he—

“What—” Heart in her throat, Olive freed her arm and took several steps
back. “What are you doing?” Her hand came up to her biceps and—it hurt,
where he’d clasped her.

God—had he really done that? Tried to kiss her? No, she must have
imagined it. She must be going crazy, because Tom would never—

“A preview, I think.”
She just stared at him, too stunned and numb to react, until he moved

closer and bent once more toward her. Then it was happening all over again.
She pushed him away. As forcefully as she could, she pushed him away

with both her hands on his chest, until he stumbled back with a cruel,
condescending laugh. Abruptly, her lungs seized and she couldn’t breathe.
“A preview of—what? Are you out of your mind?”

“Come on.”
Why was he smiling? Why was that oily, hateful expression on his face?

Why was he looking at her like—
“A pretty girl like you should know the score by now.” He looked at her

from head to toe, and the lewd gleam in his eyes made her feel disgusting.
“Don’t lie to me and say you didn’t pick out a dress that short for my

benefit. Nice legs, by the way. I can see why Adam’s wasting his time with
you.”
“The— What are you—”

“Olive.” He sighed, putting his hands in his pockets. He should have
looked nonthreatening, lounging like that. But he felt like anything but.