Developments

Laurie passed her test - just. And Dan kept his promise not to tell anyone - just. For the rest of the term, whenever Laurie and Dan were together with other people, Dan would litter his conversation with innuendo and flirting. On one occasion, with Alex, Laurie and a few other students present, he told the full story in detail, changing Laurie's name for "this girl from back home". In private, Dan was much the same as he had been before - only far more open in leering at Laurie's body. He would often slip his arm around her shoulders or waist, particularly when she was busy cooking, no matter how many times she shrugged him off or pushed him away. In truth, Laurie realised she didn't mind Dan's behaviour: he had already fucked her face, did it matter if he brushed his fingers against her ass?

Surprisingly, things started going better between Alex and Laurie. Dan's flirting clearly made him jealous, so he arranged for them to spend much more time alone, while Laurie's new experiences allowed her to push things further in the bedroom. Did Alex worry something had taken place? Maybe - but his trust in Laurie (as well as his fear of what he might find out) stopped him ever asking. And so things continued quietly through the exam season, until one evening when Laurie and Dan found themselves drinking coffee and chatting about the future in the kitchen.

"...and dad got me an internship at the bank" Dan said. "So it looks like I will be going into finance after all. What are you planning?"

"I'm happy for you. I don't have anything lined up... I didn't get that scholarship I said I was applying for, so a Masters programme is out of the question. It looks like I'll be going back home and applying for jobs."

"I'm so sorry Laurie! Can you not self-fund?"

"I've got savings, and my parents said they could lend me 500, but that would still leave me 1,000 short. I think I'm going to look for work, and if I have to stay at home and save for a year, so be it."

Laurie saw a flicker pass across Dan's face. He opened his mouth to speak, then shut it again. "Ah. Hmm. Never mind."

Laurie's eyes narrowed. "What?"

Dan swallowed. "Promise you won't be mad I suggested this."

Laurie paused. Did she really want to know? The look on Dan's face told her it would be something big, and she was **** for this money. Maybe it would be better just to leave that door unopened?

She sighed: "Just tell me, Dan."