23
“A student?” Barbara repeats. “In your class?”
I give her a single nod.
“Oh.”
She’s quiet for a little while, staring at the grass with concern written on her face. I wait for her to tell me all the things I already know.
You can’t pursue that.
It’s wrong.
It’s against the school’s rules.
She’s much younger than you.
“School policy doesn’t allow those types of relationships, I’m sure.”
“Correct.”
“You like her?”
I sigh and rub my hand over my face. “We met before school started. Had a good time.” I spare her the details, but I’m sure she can figure it out.
“I see.”
“I don’t know what to do. Well, that’s a lie, I do know what to do.”
“You know what the school wants you to do,” she amends. “You want something different.”
“I struggle with the age thing a little bit, but far less than I thought. I’m more concerned about her being my student. If we attempted anything, it would have to be a secret. From everybody. For a long time. Once again, I wouldn’t be able to offer a woman what she deserves. We can’t go out to dinner or the movies. We can’t be out in public together. Why would I do that to her?”
“For a chance at love?”
I furrow my brow, then give her a slight grin. “That’s a bit much right now.”
“Well, you’ll never know love if you don’t give it a chance. It might start as something fun and adventurous, but who knows what it’ll turn into?”
“She deserves more.”
“Have you asked her what she wants?”
“She says she’s okay with keeping it secret. She promises not to tell anyone.”
“I understand the conflict, I do. Your career is important, and I wouldn’t want you to lose that, but I also want you to be happy. This young lady seems to know what she wants. Keep it a secret. Meet up off campus, have dates in your home and see how you feel. Maybe you’ll decide it isn’t worth it. But maybe you’ll find what you never thought you’d have.”
“We may not be compatible for a long-term relationship.”
She shrugs. “Maybe, maybe not. How will you know?”
“Our age difference might be a huge factor.”
“But maybe not.”
“What if—”
Barbara puts her hand on my shoulder, stopping me. “Quit looking for excuses to not try. Not every relationship has the perfect beginning. Me and my husband have quite the story. We were young and fell in love over the course of a summer. Didn’t even live in the same area. He disappeared, I dated someone else, then when he came back, I dropped everything to be with him again. Midge tells me London was in a relationship when she met Royce. And Cillian and Midge lied to everyone about what they were up to for a while,” she says, playfully rolling her eyes. “Sometimes people find the love of their life in unusual circumstances. Don’t worry about it. You’re not the first professor to be with a student and you won’t be the last. At least she’s an adult.”
“Midge is lucky to have you,” I tell her with a smile. “I appreciate you listening and trying to help me out.”
Her eyes glisten. “You can call on me anytime, okay?”
We stand up and embrace. “Thank you, Barbara. For everything.”
“You got it. Now think it over. I won’t mention this conversation to anyone. Don’t worry.”
* * *
I spend the rest of my Saturday thinking over everything Barbara told me, and weighing the pros and cons of attempting anything with Nova while she’s still a student. My head and heart are warring, and I don’t know which will win. When I’m away from her, I think I can hold steadfast in my decision to keep it strictly professional, but the second I’m around her, my resolve crumbles, and I’m ready to risk everything for a single kiss.
For now, I focus on making dinner for Royce, Cillian, Midge, and London. Forty-five minutes before anyone is due to arrive, a knock on the door gets my attention. Before I can take two steps out of the kitchen, I hear it open, followed by Royce’s voice.
“It’s me. I’m early, I know.”
I sit back on the stool at the island in my kitchen and wait for him to walk in. “What’s up? Is London not coming?”
“She’ll be here. I just wanted to talk to you.”
I put the newspaper down and tilt my head. “You okay?”
He waves his hand through the air. “Yeah, yeah. I’m good. How are things with you?”
“Fine,” I answer slowly, curious as to where this is going.
“Yeah? Nothing new?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “What? What do you want to say?”
Royce chuckles as he walks around to the other side of the island and rests on his elbows. “Well, I’m not sure. I don’t know what you know.”
I bring the paper back up, putting a barrier between us. “If you’re gonna talk in riddles, I don’t have time.”
“I’m not talking in riddles,” he says, his hand coming down on the paper, crumpling it. “How’d things go with that chick from the bar?”
I try to keep my eyes from bulging out of my head. Why would he be asking about that?
“It was fine. Typical.”
“Mm.” His green eyes sparkle with mischief.
“What?” I question, annoyed.
“You haven’t talked to her since that night then?”
“Why do you care?”
“I’m just curious.”
“Well, stop.”
Royce laughs and grabs a bottle of water out of the fridge before settling on another barstool, leaving one between us. “I’m pretty sure I saw her recently.”
My heart races. “Oh? Well, small town.” I try to straighten out the paper to give me something to do.
“Yeah, she was with a few other people.” Pause. “One was wearing a University of Gaspar shirt.”
I meet his eyes. “And?”
Royce throws his arms in the air. “Why are you so difficult? Is she a student or not?”
“You think I know all the students at the university?”
Royce rolls his eyes, and I don’t even know why I’m trying to keep this from him any longer.
