014 – INTERRUPTED
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Hunter appeared to have been the one insulted instead of her, with lips set in a grim, straight line and eyes shimmering perilously amongst the silhouettes. Other than the harsh lines of his profile, Amber could barely make out anything else. The shadows seem to embrace him from where he was sitting, making him appear more menacing than before. 

Almost as if he was contemplating someone’s demise. 

“Hunter?” Amber asked, because she wasn’t sure what to do or say next. She couldn’t help but notice how tight his hand was around the plastic spoon. Surprisingly, it was still in one piece. 

“Hunter?” Amber called out again after a minute went by. At least she could see his face better now. It was less menacing, but no less daunting. Or maybe she had just imagined the look earlier? 

It was a moment before Hunter answered in a subdued voice. “How can you be so calm after that? Are you two really engaged?” He finally loosed his grip on the plastic spoon, and it landed on the table with a quiet clink. 

Not knowing how to handle this complicated side of Hunter, a nervous smile erupted. “What do your sources say?” She jokingly brushed off the question. 

“Hmmm…” He didn’t find it funny. In response, Hunter deliberately settled both elbows against the table before intertwining his fingers. Then, with palms raised slightly, face down, Hunter gradually leaned forward to rest his chin on top before giving her a peculiar, hungry look. 

Which was strange because he’d just eaten. 

“Hmmm… what?” Amber tilted her head with a confused smile. 

“Hmmm…,” Hunter continued studying her, unable to decide whether to eat her up or swallow her whole. Either way, they both had the same effect. In that dark, quiet tone, he continued. “Say my name, again.” 

“Hunter…?” Amber obliged and found that her own voice came out a bit… breathless. She coughed lightly, unable to hold his gaze anymore. Whatever he was doing was affecting her, and she didn’t understand it one bit. Rather than try to make sense of it right now, Amber feigned interest in a few students laughing at each other while waiting in line for their food. Still unable to face Hunter, she cleared her throat before asking. “Are you alright?” 

“We know what we are but know not what we may be,” Hunter answered, voice deepening. 

Was he talking to her or to himself? And why is Shakespeare being brought into all of this? While not a huge fan, Amber had read enough to recognize some of his more famous verses. Yet, why, and what did Hunter mean by it? 

Earlier, outside, he had also taken a quote from the famous writer. She’d meant to ask who he referred to as not objecting, but forgot about it until now. It was more likely directed at her, if she was honest. Nevertheless, Amber found it easier to pretend ignorance than to research the reasons behind them. 

“The course of true love never did run smooth,” Hunter murmured after a moment. 

Twice. In a role, now. 

Curiosity piqued, Amber finally shifted, making eye contact. 

Big mistake.

With chin still propped against his hands, Hunter’s emerald eyes never moved, his gaze never left. Those eyes fell to her neck... before sauntering up to focus on her mouth. Amber’s lips parted, unable to help herself, and his eyes narrowed, clouded, before decisively floating up once more to capture her eyes. 

Was he a biter? Or would he tease her mercilessly first before setting his teeth against her flesh? Amber inhaled sharply, wondering where the thought came from and feeling somewhat weak suddenly. 

The silence was deafening. The atmosphere sizzled and sparked with currents even as the world faded. Everything and everyone became a blur, white noise against the backdrop. 

Hunter appeared tantalizing and... wickedly delicious to Amber suddenly, with those penetrating green eyes attuned to her. She opened her mouth to say something… anything, but the words caught at the back of her throat. Her mouth felt dry. Her brain seemed to have turned into mush. Amber could feel her traitorous heart swiftly hammering against her chest as she grappled with breaking free of whatever he was doing to her.

Hunter dipped forward almost as if he couldn’t stand being so far away from her, and Amber followed suit, unable to control herself. 

“You’re wasting your time on this one, baby.” Amber heard the unfamiliar voice first before she felt an arm against the back of her neck, where it dropped comfortably against her shoulders. “This one here breaks hearts. Why don’t you take your chances with me instead? I know how to treat a lady.” 

Amber closed her eyes and took a deep breath, grateful for the interruption. Taking a minute to recompose, she sank back slowly into her seat and placed hands, fingers somewhat trembling, against her lap. A few more minutes passed before she finally turned to discover a stranger, a young man with black hair and a hint of blue eyes, grinning at her. 

“Nathan, what the hell are you doing here?” There was an edge to Hunter’s voice. This was the first time Amber heard him swear, despite only knowing him for two days. 

Nathan must have seen or heard something in Hunter’s tone because he withdrew his arm from her shoulder and brought both arms up, palms opened. “My bad! My bad! I didn’t know! Forgive me!” 

Didn’t know what? Amber glanced at Hunter.

Hunter tilted back against the booth and crossed his arms, still waiting for a response. 

Instead of answering him, Nathan turned back towards Amber. He beamed, leaning against his right arm, which was now on top of the table. She couldn’t help noticing two dimples on either side of his cheeks. “Hi! I’m Nathan Storm, a good friend of Hunter’s.” 

His smile was contagious. Amber smiled, unable to help herself. So was his attitude. “Hi, Nathan. I’m Amber. A… friend of Hunter’s as well.” 

Where had she heard his name before…? 

“I know.” Nathan’s brows came together. “You’re the heir to Cyber Consulting.” 

Hunter began tapping his fingers against his arm, and Nathan cleared his throat, unable to avoid not answering any longer. “I wanted to get something to eat before our next class. Imagine my surprise when you were already here on a date!” 

Amber wanted to refute what he said, but something else caught her attention. “Our next class?” She took a moment to check the time on her phone. It was only 12:45, which meant there was still some time left. “Nathan, are you also in our next class?”

Nathan sat up straight, eyes widening as he realized what she meant. His smile widened. “So you’ll be in JavaScript Basics as well?” His eyes rolled over to Hunter, who was no longer paying attention. Hunter was busy scrolling through his phone, checking messages and emails. 

Nathan took that as permission and continued chatting. “No wonder Bossman is interested in you. You’re one of a kind.” 

“Boss… man?” Amber blinked. 

“We’ve been together ever since we were kids,” Nathan explained. “He’s been the boss of the group.” 

Amber couldn’t help glancing at Hunter to see his reaction, but he revealed nothing. Hunter continued to type on his phone, ignoring them both now. 

“No wonder Bossman wanted to look into you himself.” Nathan eyed Hunter again as he spoke. Hunter’s typing on the screen slowed down for a few strokes before picking back up. “Now I’m curious to know what he’s discovered.” 

“Do you also have the same habit as your boss here of performing background checks on people?” Amber smiled dryly. She eyed Nathan from top to bottom. “Let me guess, you’re the reconnaissance of the group? You’re the one that gets sent in to do all the scouting?” 

“Holy crap,” Nathan said, turning to Hunter. “Bossman, is this why you fancy her?” He was like an open book, an innocent child who said what was on his mind without thinking of the consequences. He hid nothing as his expression turned from disbelief to acceptance and then playful. Even if Amber had been right, Nathan could have pretended otherwise, but he didn’t. “If only I had met you sooner! Atlas, now you belong to him!” 

Amber wanted to be annoyed but found she couldn’t. Not with Nathan. “I’m not his. We’re just friends. And this isn’t a date. We were just having lunch. Didn’t you say you wanted to get something to eat?” 

“Oh, that?” Nathan brushed off the last of her question. “I already ate. I was throwing my lunch away when I spotted you two.” He rubbed his chin, giving Amber an odd look.

Amber opened her mouth, but Nathan continued before she could say anything. “So, you and Bossman are just friends, huh? Interesting… Interesting. You know Bossman has—”

Hunter cleared his throat twice, interrupting Nathan, and took a drink of water before going back to his phone.  

“Don’t you worry!” Nathan slapped his left fist against the palm of his right. “You couldn’t have asked for a better friend!” 

Amber blinked, puzzled at the change in direction. “You said Hunter has—” 

“Don’t you worry!” Nathan interrupted again. “If Hun—Bossman ever breaks his promise, you just let me know. There’s nothing I can’t find out and no one that can escape my retribution skills!” Nathan leaned in and murmured. “But tell me, aren’t you the least bit bothered by Bossman searching into your background?” 

If Nathan intended to keep the conversation between them, he was doing a poor job of it. She was sure Hunter could still hear from across the table. 

Amber couldn’t help but look at Hunter while responding in the same quiet whisper. “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”

Amber’s heart jumped a beat as Hunter paused what he was doing. She half expected him to look up at her, but he continued to focus on his screen. Her stomach twisted in knots as a slow smile spread across his lips before his fingers started typing anew. 

“Ugh!” Nathan shook his head, obviously not quite comprehending. “Boss, where did you find her? She likes to quote from Shakespeare just like you!” 

Not precisely, but Amber said nothing. She had this sudden urge to tease Nathan like a grown-up would tease a child, and quoting from Shakespeare seemed the perfect torment.

“I didn’t find her.” Finished with what he was doing on the phone, Hunter turned off the screen and stood, eyes only on Amber. “She found me.” 

“Really?!” Nathan turned his vast eyes on her. “You found him?! Can you find me someone similar?” 

“Heh,” Amber scratched the back of her head. “Funny story… that...” 

“What happened?” Nathan settled in against the booth with all the time in the world. “I’ve got nowhere to be.”  

“Another time,” Hunter answered, and Nathan stood up faster than Amber could blink. Hunter picked up his lunch tray and empty cup. “Something came up. We need to go first.” 

Without being told, Nathan grabbed Amber’s tray and her half-empty cup of water. She made a reach for it, but Nathan shook his head at her, stepping out of range. “It’s been a pleasure, Bosslady. Let’s save the story for another time.” 

Boss… lady? 

“I wanted to walk to class together, but there’s something else I need to do before our next class, so if you’ll excuse me…,” Hunter paused, then gave her a wink before walking off. “Don’t miss me too much.”

Amber sat there, watching his receding back, their receding backs, wondering just what happened? A few minutes later, she was still reeling from tornado Nathan, trying to understand half of their conversation while also wondering where the other half concluded.

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