No matter how hard she tried, Amber’s eyes kept straying to the door the entire period. The one where Hunter exited, a small part of her hoping he’d return. Twenty minutes turned into forty, and still no sign of Hunter.

Amber finally gave up, disheartened.

With ten minutes left of class, the professor dismissed them. Questions were to be filtered through email or at her office at the posted times noted in the syllabus. Oh, and a laptop would be required for Thursday.

Amber caught most of it before her mind wandered.

She sat there, binder and books still out, as if she wanted the class to resume, while all around, students started gathering, preparing to take off. Amber paid them no heed, though, tapping the end of her pen against her lips.

Why did he leave in the middle of class, and where did he go? But, most importantly, why didn’t he say anything to her before he left?

“Hey, Bosslady,” a voice interrupted, and Amber turned to find Nathan perched on top of the desk where Hunter’s stuff had been. The cute blonde she saw coughing earlier stood next to him with a smile on his face. Not only appealing but a sort of techie quality about him, too. Not that Hunter would surround himself with anyone less.

“Nathan?” Amber glanced around the empty classroom. “What are you still doing here?”

“Waiting for you. Bossman would kill me if I left you alone. Come on. I’ll escort you back to your place.”

“We’ll both accompany her,” the blonde nudged Nathan in the stomach before turning those bright blue eyes to Amber. “Hi. I’m Adam McKnight, by the way.”

“He was the person on the phone earlier,” Nathan winced before returning the nudge. “Are you ready? Or do you want to stay here for a bit?”

“I’m ready.” Amber stood up and grabbed her backpack.

“Your stuff?” Nathan remained where he was and gave Amber a bewildered expression before glancing back down at the table.

Amber’s eyes mirrored his and realized she had yet to pack, her items still scatted about, along with her water bottle and phone. She smacked her forehead. She wasn’t usually this forgetful, particularly in front of others.

“Don’t worry,” Adam leaned a hip against the table as Amber started filing away her things one by one. “We’re all like that when he’s gone as well.”

Amber raised a questioning brow at Adam and pretended she didn’t know what or who he was referring to. “Like what with who?”

Nathan kicked Adam in the leg before beaming at Amber. “Bossman had to go take care of some family matters. He’s nothing like the heir you mention, hiding behind others.”

“As for having some strange, demented, or ill disease, we’ve yet to see,” Adam finished, and Nathan smacked him on the head. Adam gave Nathan an evil glare before punching him in the shoulder.

Amber ignored their minor scuffle, focusing on getting her items packed while processing what Nathan just said.

So, it appeared Hunter wasn’t without family issues, too. Hopefully, nothing too serious he couldn’t take care of.

She straightened, fingers brushing against her cellphone. It had been mute throughout the class, and it was still quiet, even now.

“I guess you guys heard my conversation?” Amber’s eyes brushed Nathan and Adam skeptically, zipping her backpack. Oddly enough, she felt better now after hearing from Nathan.

Just a little, though.

Amber racked her brain, zeroing in on Adam. “Your mom’s the VP of Infrastructure.”

She didn’t mention the company. Didn’t need to.

“You’re more informed than others,” Adam nodded, confirming her suspicion.

What were the sons of VPs of Pro Securities doing on this campus? And why were they hanging out with Hunter? Amber thought about it for a couple of minutes, threw her backpack over her shoulder, and faced them with her arms crossed.

She studied the two before finally saying, “There’s a rumor the Asheton heir is apparently attending this school. If the both of you are looking to use Hunter and his skills to do something illegal, forget it. I will not allow him to do it, and I will make your lives miserable if you try to blackmail him.”

Nathan and Adam stared at her, eyes wide, mouths closing and opening before closing again. Their reaction didn’t surprise Amber.

Another suspicion confirmed.

While she didn’t know how excellent Hunter’s skills were with a computer, she knew his confidence wasn’t just for show. The story of them as childhood friends could also be valid; however, Amber always had a trust but verified approach to life.

“That—that’s not how it is at all!” Nathan blurted, infringing on her thoughts.

Amber eyed them questioningly.

“Bossman is doing the blackmailing!” Nathan looked like he wanted to cry. “He’s the one making us do—”

Adam covered Nathan’s mouth.

Well, that could easily be true, too. Amber moved out of the aisle and started towards the exit. They made their way into the open hall, devoid of students with courses still in session or finished for the day.

“If that’s the case, I’ll talk with him.” Amber didn’t know who was lying or who was telling the truth. Maybe it was time to sit down with Hunter and have a nice heart-to-heart about the issue at hand? Figure out friend from foe.

Not that Amber had anything against Hunter’s childhood friends. It was just she didn’t know them well enough. Never mind the fact that she didn’t even know Hunter that long, either.

“There’s no need to do that,” Adam answered somberly. “Really! Nathan was just being Nathan. Bossman isn’t forcing us to do anything we don’t want to do.” Then, behind Amber, he scowled at Nathan, mouthing to him: He’s going to kill us!

“Yes, yes!” Nathan swiftly agreed. “Please don’t mention what I just said to him! Please?”

They were outside now, and the sun was preparing its descent. With another four hours left of daylight, Amber could stop at the library to do some studying. She stretched as the cool breeze blew against her hair and raised her head towards the sunlight. On second thought, no. It was too beautiful a day to be locked inside.

“Bosslady, is that a yes?” Nathan chuckled nervously behind her, unsure what to make of her silence.

Amber took a step down the five flights of stairs and turned around to face them both. There was a wayward smile on her face, and her eyes were twinkling. “I promise I won’t mention it as long as you guys tell me why you call me Bosslady.”

“Why that’s easy enough,” Nathan gave a deep sigh of relief. He rubbed the back of his neck, a smile spreading. “You’re Bosslady because you’re the—”

Adam moved forward and started ruffling Nathan’s hair, once more intervening.

Amber turned away from them, shaking her head. It was apparent something was going on here. Something they didn’t want her to know about. Not an issue. Eventually, one of them will have to reveal their hands.

“Stop it! Why are you doing that?” Nathan shoved Adam’s arm aside, but it came right back. The two got into a mini brawl, tugging and striking at one another, Amber all but forgotten.

When they finally paused long enough to look up, Amber was already halfway down the block.

“Bosslady! Bosslady!! Wait up,” Nathan shouted. He pushed Adam one last time before taking off after Amber. Adam ran after them, not wanting to be left behind, and he needed to pay Nathan back for that shove.