“Oh? Fiction?”
“Sometimes. Short stories, mostly.” He hesitates. “Nothing good.”
“I doubt that. You have a way of reading between the lines, of seeing intent where others only see words. That’s exactly what good writers do.”
He ducks his head at the compliment, but I notice the small smile that ghosts across his lips before he speaks again. “You really think so?”
“Of course. Besides, bad writing doesn’t exist. Only unfinished thoughts.”
He laughs quietly. “That sounds like something Murakami would say.”
“Maybe,” I admit, smiling. “Or something I tell myself when I’m grading freshman essays.”
He laughs again, the sound soft and warm enough to make my pulse jump. It’s disarming. There’s something so unguarded about him in this moment that I have to look away, pretending to check the time.
Jackson is attractive, yes, but I can’t allow myself to become attractedtohim. If I don’t get out of here now, I just might.
Fortunately, the barista calls my name at that moment.
Standing, I straighten out my vest. I notice Jackson’s gaze following the action, raking down the length of my torso.
I clear my throat. “Let me know what you think ofAfter Darkwhen you’ve finished. I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts.”
This time, it seems I’ve surprisedhim, his eyes widening a degree. “You would?”
“Sure. I always enjoy a good literary discussion.”
With you.
Of course, that’s not appropriate, so I leave that bit out.
“Have a good evening, Mr. Ellis.”
“You too. Enjoy your macchiato, Professor.”
I turn my back on him just in time to hide the grin that tugs at the corner of my lips. I shouldn’t let the fact that he was watching me before he let on that he knew I was here affect me.
After picking up my drink, I head out of the cafe and toward the staff parking lot. The sun’s already dipping behind the old clock tower, casting long shadows across the sidewalks. The air smells faintly of rain, and the sky has that dusky violet tint that always makes me feel nostalgic for reasons I can’t quite name.
As I drive home with the memory of his easy smile swimming in my mind, I realize I didn’t get out of there quite soon enough.
There are so many more reasons that I shouldn’t let myself be attracted to Jackson Ellis than just the fact he’s my student.
But it shouldn’t be that difficult to fight off this budding attraction.
It’s been years since I’ve let anyone get close. Long enough that loneliness has started to feel like safety.
Even if I could be with anyone right now, I wouldn’t.
Everyone always leaves.
And I’m tired of being the one left behind.
It’s entirely unfair how hotProfessor Kendall looks in those damn suit vests. After about the eightieth time I caught myself staring at him and having that thought, I realized something.
I have a crush on my professor.
I’ve never been attracted to another man, so when I started to realize that’s what was happening whenever I was around Professor Kendall, I can admit it came as a shock. I tried to deny it at first, tried to rationalize it as admiration instead.
