“Sure. Your pick.”
Annie scours the selections for a rom-com, landing on one about best friends who fall in love. I take a sip of my tea, hoping that things with Ryan can go back to normal.
But why does the thought of seeing him tomorrow make my heart race?
CHAPTER 34
Ryan
The semester is over,and tonight is the end of the year faculty party, which is a formal affair. Last year, Claire wore a dark green floor-length gown. I know men aren’t supposed to notice those details, and I can’t tell you anything about what anyone else was wearing. I can’t even tell you about the suit I was wearing. But I can tell you about Claire’s dress and the way I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her all night.
Finals are all completed and graded, and I submitted all my students’ grades this morning. I’m nearly done with this semester’s work. All I have left is graduation next week, which the faculty normally have to work. Last year, I made bingo sheets for all the professors, and we marked off the trite phrases used by the administration and the students during their speeches. It was the only way to pass the time.
Claire and I sat next to each other, laughing and putting Xs on our boards. I won’t be doing that with her this year…unless things go well with her tonight.
That’s right. Tonight is the night. I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to FINALLY tell Claire how I feel, no holds barred. This is my ultimate chance, and I refuse to mess it up.
After getting dressed in my navy-blue suit, white dress shirt, and blue tie with the quadratic formula, I drive to the Coastal Vista Community College ballroom. Located on campus, it’s an event center for special campus gatherings.
As I walk up to the entrance, Grace and Betsy greet everyone at the doors.
“Looking sharp, Ryan,” Grace says.
“Thank you, Grace. You, too.” I’ve been careful not to lead Grace on, but she does look nice. This year’s fiesta is hosted by the STEM division, and the theme is the Golden Ratio Gala, named for the golden ratio discovered by the Greeks. Grace is on theme, wearing a shimmering gold gown, reminding me of an Oscar award. Or are those statues naked? Never mind. Either way, she’s in all gold.
Meanwhile, Betsy is scowling in her seat, wearing a deep red dress.
“You look lovely, Betsy,” I say, and there’s a slight glimmer in her eye that disappears as fast as it arrived.
“Go on in!” Grace says, gesturing at the double doors. I thank her and walk in, immediately scanning for Claire. Is she bringing Zach? Why didn’t I think this through? How will I get her alone so I can finally talk to her?
“Looking for someone in particular?” Christopher’s voice sounds behind me. I turn and laugh when I see his getup—he’s wearing a toga.
He deadpans. “What?”
I gesture at his toga, and he looks down at his clothes. “Oh, this? Yeah, I had it in the back of my closet and figured this was an appropriate occasion.”
The problem is that I’m not one hundred percent sure he’s joking.
“Looking for Claire?” he asks, a twinkle in his eyes.
“Yes. I mean, no. I just…”
Christopher puts a hand on my shoulder. “Did you tell her how you feel yet?”
My eyes widen. “How did you…”
Christopher just gives me a wink. “A department chair knows these things about his coworkers.”
“I’m not sure that’s completely true.”
He gazes past me toward the entrance. “Well, here’s your chance.” He nods his head toward the double doors, and I turn to see perfection embodied in the female form.
Claire stands at the entrance looking like all my dreams come true. Her auburn hair is curled and swept over one shoulder, and her dark purple gown looks like it belongs in a Bond film.
I thought green was her best color, but I was wrong. It’s purple.
I can’t take my eyes off of her.
