Crap. This was the one question I’d been hoping he wouldn’t ask.
“Thirty percent,” I mumbled as I took another bite.
“What was that?”
I sighed. “Thirty percent.”
He blinked. “But you’ve had it for weeks.”
“I know, I know,” I groaned. “And I’m sorry. But this last few weeks—”
“Don’t worry about it,” he laughed. “You’re working a full-time job, and that’s tiring.”
I nodded. Thank goodness he understood. Or thought he did, at least. Because I’d spent far more nights on the couch with my phone, looking for new places to take Jade than I had studying like I was supposed to.
“I also brought my syllabi.” He wiped his mouth on his napkin and reached into the briefcase he’d brought along. “So we can look at some of the instructors you’ll have.”
“How do you know which ones I’ll have?” I asked, taking a bite of my quiche.
“Everyone has these instructors during the first or second semester.” He pushed his glasses higher on his nose. “Moss teaches one of the cornerstone classes, and she holds a lot of power in the college. So if you do well in her class and you get her to like you, you’ll be set for most of your program.”
And so we began. And didn’t stop for an hour and a half. I couldn’t help being impressed. Not only had he brought his textbooks, but he’d made a list of his instructors and notes about all of them, who wanted work turned in early, who wanted everything in pen rather than pencil, and the one guy who forgot what he assigned his students every single week.
“Please don’t take this the wrong way.” I leaned back in my chair and surveyed the piles of books and paper surrounding us. “But I have to ask.”
“Okay?” He took a sip from what must have been cold coffee by now.
I folded my arms and studied him. “Why are you doing all this? Because I mean, this,” I gestured to the piles, “is a lot of work.”
“Well, like I said, I’ve been trying to get out of a family function.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “And yes, it might make me a terrible person, but my sister’s co-ed baby shower just wasn’t something I’ve been terribly motivated to attend.”
I laughed. “Granted, but still, this must have taken a ton of time.” I held my breath, Madison’s warnings about Sam’s feelings circling in my head. If he really liked me, I was giving him the chance of a lifetime to tell me now. All he had to do was admit it, and he would no longer be breaking rule number four.
And if he was no longer breaking rule number four and actually admitted that he wanted to pursue something with me, maybe I could get Jade’s infuriating brother out of my head because I would have someone else there instead.
He took a moment to answer, each second making my heart beat slightly faster. Finally, he clasped his hands and leaned forward.
“You…” He took a deep breath. “You are so talented. And I mean that. So talented that in my five years of teaching I don’t think I’ve seen a teacher with as much potential and passion as you. You’re patient and sweet, but you know how to take control of a classroom. You encourage the kids who are ready for more, while not leaving the others behind. And…I just think it would be cheating a whole lot of kids and a whole lot of your fellow teachers if I didn’t help you reach your highest goals. And if earning this degree is what you need to become a better teacher, then I’m going to help you do exactly that.”
“Oh.” I sat back, a blush heating my cheeks. It wasn’t the declaration of love I’m sure Madison would have wanted, but it was something to think about, at least. “Well…thanks.”
“Let’s finish this thing, huh?” He smiled, pushed his glasses back up his nose, and pulled out yet another syllabus.
An involuntary sigh escaped, but I covered it with a yawn. He was right. This degree was what I wanted.
It really was.
26
Not a Date
Jessie
“Are you sure this isn’t a date?” My mom gave me her best mom look as I held another shirt up in the mirror before tossing it on the bed.
“I told you. It’s purely business. And me feeling slightly sorry for the guy whose fiancée dumped him because his little sister has special needs.” I sighed and went back to my closet to dig into it once again.
“You know…” my mom said slowly. “You don’t have to abide by all your rules all the time.”
