The scent of stale coffee and old paper filled Megs’ nostrils as she approached Ms. Martinez's desk. Megs sat in one of the two wide-set chairs and shot Gideon a sideways glance as he did the same.What was he doing here?
Ms. Martinez sat behind her desk and swiped a finger over her mouse scroll button. “Are you enrolled in the course? And . . . can I ask why your professor is here for this meeting?”
“Yes I’m enrolled, and I would love for you to ask, actually.” Megs turned to look at Gideon.
He gripped the wooden armrests and leaned forward. “I insisted on coming to this meeting because I contributed to Megs being late for one of her classes last weekend. We had a miscommunication about her working in the recording studio, and by the time she made her way to this building, the doors were locked.”
Ms. Martinez nodded and typed something on her keyboard. “So you were late and missed the class?”
“I was only fifteen minutes late, but with the doors locked, I waited for most of the class to get into the building. Then when I talked with my professor, he said I’d just need to enroll next semester.”
“And that’s not an option?”
“It shouldn’t have to be an option,” Gideon answered. “Megs and I were working on a recording project together, and I started our session later than planned. As a result, she was late to the course. She’s more than capable of making up the work, and she’s already paid for the course.”
Ms. Martinez glanced between Megs and Gideon. Megs shifted in her seat. Why was Gideon doing this for her? Did he feel bad about, well, everything? He didn’t need to. All he’d done was follow school policy . . . and break her sandal. And kiss her so thoroughly she couldn’t think straight all weekend. But the audition? The certification course? The enrollment in his class? That had been all her.
“It was my fault,” Megs added. “I understand that this course has a short timeline, and I shouldn’t have scheduled anything that could’ve conflicted. If I’m being honest, the reason I’m here is because money is tight. I need to move at the end of this month, and I have a job lined up that requires this certificate. I don’t expect you to fix this, but I’d really appreciate another shot.”
Ms. Martinez turned her focus to her computer screen. “Well, I’m sending a message to your instructor with the recommendation that he make an allowance for you. I assume you’ll be able to attend the second weekend of classes?”
“Yes, absolutely. And if he has to do anything extra to make this work—”
“He should be able to forward you his presentation for the class you missed, but you’ll be responsible for the assignments. From his class information, it looks like they’re due Friday morning.”
“Right.” Megs pursed her lips. There were four assignments, all of them tedious, but she’d get them done. Plus the assignments she had to submit for Gideon’s class so she wasn’t sitting at a zero. “Thank you so much.”
Relief washed over her like a warm wave. There was still a chance her instructor wouldn’t make a concession, but at least now she had a chance. Megs couldn't help but steal a glance at Gideon, who sat stoically in the chair next to her.
“Thank you, Ms. Martinez.” Gideon stood. He didn’t look at her as he turned, but said, “I’ll see you in class, Megs.”
What was that? Megs stood slowly and thanked the coordinator, then exited the room. Had Gideon thought she was incapable of handling this herself? Worse, did he believe his status as a male professor would pull more weight than a female student? Not that he was wrong, but she still hated thatthatwas a thing.
She mulled over their interactions as she walked back to the other building. Had she given him the idea that she was a damsel in distress? They’d met at the coffee shop where she hadn’t needed any help. If anything, she was the one offering him assistance. Then she’d been assertive and probably a tad bit annoying when she’d shown up at his office.
But then he’d found her wallowing against the brick wall of the admin building, then carried her to her car when her sandal broke. His fault, but still.
It didn’t seem he was trying to give her preferential treatment in class. If he was, he sucked at it, but she didn’t need one more person in her life to view her as a charity case.
Megs entered the arts building and strode to the atrium where Erik was waiting, talking to some— She groaned internally. Gideon. He was talking to Gideon. Of course, he was.
“Hey, Erik. You ready to work?”
Erik’s face contorted into what she’d realized was his version of a smile. It was endearing and also a bit disturbing. “I was asking Professor Adams if we could use the recording studio. I realized the first class during week two was mostly about the mixing board,and I thought it might be good to show you.”
Megs gripped the straps of her backpack. “And what did Professor Adams say?”
Gideon smiled tightly. “I’d be glad to let you in.”
“No supervision?”
“I trust Erik.”
Megs’ nostrils flared. “Excellent.”
They walked together back toward Gideon’s office.
“I probably could’ve learned about the mixing board when I recorded my audition if someone would’ve trusted me,” she muttered under her breath.
