Erik nodded. “That’s in module seven.”
“Right.” Megs exhaled, then focused as Erik showed her a few more examples on the board.
As soon as the clock turned to five twenty-five, Erik straightened and closed his notes. Half an hour on the dot. Megs smiled. “Thank you so much for this, Erik. Incredibly helpful.” She wasn’t just padding his ego, she meant it.
“You’re welcome.” Erik slipped his computer into his shoulder bag. “Anytime.” Megs had no doubt he meant that, too.
Erik was sure to turn off the power to the board and flick the lights. As they stepped into the hall, he turned left. “I always park in the back parking lot since I can get there with less traffic.”
“Oh, perfect. Well, have a great rest of your week.”
Erik nodded. “See you on Monday. You’re welcome to sit at my table again.”
Megs grinned. “Perfect.” Her steps seemed lighter as she walked through the mostly empty hall. She slowed as she neared Gideon’s office and noticed his door was open, then sped up to hopefully avoid notice.
“Megs,” he called out. She paused but didn’t pull to a complete stop until he stepped out into the hall. “How did it go?”
She drew a deep breath and turned. “Really well. Erik’s an excellent teacher.” Gideon’s hand rested on the doorframe and the way he was leaning accentuated his tapered waist and broad shoulders—something she shouldn’t be noticing.
“His notes weren’t . . . lacking?”
Megs pursed her lips to hide a burgeoning grin. “Were you offended by that?”
Gideon frowned. “No, I just—”
“You were. That comment got under your skin.” She didn’t hide her amusement now, and that only deepened Gideon’s glower.
He tapped his fingers on the gun-metal gray door casing. “I’m glad it went well.”
“I’m also glad it went well.” They were at a well-wishing standoff, and Megs couldn’t wait to see who won.
Gideon dropped his arm before she unfolded hers. “Then we agree.”
Megs nodded. “Seems like it.”
Gideon turned to duck back into his office, then stopped. “I’ll actually see you Friday. For the first finalist event.” It was as if he was talking to himself, correcting his earlier parting statement in the coordinator’s office.
“No, you won’t.” Megs swallowed hard. It was the right decision, but there was still a sharp pang in her stomach when she had to voice it out loud.
Gideon looked up. “Why not?”
“Because I can’t go. Not if Mr. Fletcher lets me back into the certification course. I’m not screwing that up again.”
Gideon opened his mouth, then closed it. “Right.”
“Not meant to be, I guess.” Megs rocked on her feet once, then took a step back down the hall. “Good luck.”
“You, too.”
“I won’t need it. Unless you’re talking about turning in all of my assignments, in which case, thank you.”
Gideon looked up, and his eyes reflected slate-gray in the fluorescent lights. “Have a good weekend, Megs.” With that, he turned and stalked back into his office.
Eleven
Megs staredat the email on her phone.
Narration Contestants,
