"That's the one I taught, right?"
"You taught his nephew?" Hayley asks. I look at her and she smiles, eyes flicking back down to the menu. "I'm definitely notlistening to your conversation. I didn't ask anything. Jackie, did you hear me ask anything?"
"I taught his nephew when I worked at the high school. I think it was for his tenth grade year. He's a Senior this year, right?"
"How did you get on the subject to know that?" Jackie asks.
"Uh, well…"
"Someone volunteered himself to help me with some chores on the farm and he saw him on his way back out," Nelson says. I hadn't actually told my best friend that I spent the night with Nelson once already, so I'm beyond grateful that he kept that detail out.
"Bennett? He did chores? On a farm?" Hayley is staring between the two of us now.
"I didn't say he was much help," Nelson adds.
I scoff at that statement. "I was a great helper, thank you. You even said so."
"Was that before or after you fell asleep on my couch watching a movie?"
"Oh, see now that sounds like my best friend."
The waitress comes back and we quickly place our orders. The conversation is steady and flows from one subject to another. Nelson does actually tell them what he thinks of me as a professor and about the class in general. He gets a little vague when Hayley asks why he's taking the class. I shake my head slightly, letting her know to drop the subject. She takes the hint and we move on to the next thing. The food comes out and everyone's plates look amazing. I've only been to this place a handful of times, but it's popular for a reason.
Halfway through dinner, I feel a hand-shaped warmth on my thigh. I look down at my lap to see Nelson's hand on me. He squeezes once and I look over at him. "Excuse for me a moment. I'm going to go use the restroom."
We all nod and the second he's out of earshot, Hayley speaks up.
"Bennett, he is cute. I can see why you're so smitten." I focus on stabbing another shrimp onto my fork instead of answering. I avoid her eyes as well, but it doesn't deter her. She keeps going. "He's got that small town boy charm to him. How old is he again?"
"Forty," I say automatically. I glance up and see both of them smirking, knowing expressions on their faces. "I told you, we're not together. We both decided that it would be smartest to wait."
"Oh to be a fly on the wall of those extra lessons he mentioned," Hayley says wistfully. Jackie laughs at her wife's dramatics while I wish the floor would swallow me hole.
Chapter Thirteen
"Alright,everyone.Weareofficially at the halfway point of this class. We will start presentations on Thursday for the group projects. I have the order in which everyone will present taped by the door, so make sure to look at see. The presentation is a big portion of your grade for this project, so make sure you are here."
I get a small feeling of satisfaction when half the class groans. As a teacher, even a professor for college classes, it makes me want to laugh when they react like that. Especially because, despite the different ages and grades I've taught, it's always the same. I nod politely and wave to a few of them as they file out the door. The sun is bright through the window and I can't wait to get outside.
As usual, Nelson is the last to leave. I move to my usual spot for our after-class chat, leaning against the front of my desk with my arms crossed over my chest. Flashes of last night passthrough my mind and I can't help but smile. He's not even looking at me right now, but I can picture his smile over drinks and dinner last night. Hayley teasing both of us, but Nelson giving it right back. They got along well and when I dropped them off this morning, she made a show of giving me her blessing to pursue him. I just rolled my eyes, but secretly I'm relieved they got along so well.
"Any plans today?" I ask when he finishes packing up his things. He takes a few steps toward me, standing just a foot away. I can smell his cologne. It's a deep, woodsy scent. Same as his body wash. Creature of habit, I guess.
"Nothing much today," Nelson says. "I have an open house later for a place."
"House or apartment?"
"House this time. I think I'm done looking at apartments."
"I still hate that you're having to move in the first place," I say. "I love your house now. Is this one similar, at least?"
"Not really. It's one story, smaller than what I have now, and it's closer to the city so there's a yard but it isn't anything like the land now. Zula would have to stay at the barn."
"Zula?"
"My horse," Nelson says. "I raised her from birth so it kind of sucks I'll have to leave her behind."
"And there really isn't anything that can be done?" The more I get to know him, it's obvious how much Nelson loves the farm and never planned on leaving it. The way he told us stories of growing up last night and talks about the animals makes it obvious that the last thing he wants to do is move.
