Chapter Twenty
It wasn't as easy asReagan thought it would be when she went back to college after the holidays. She expected the smooth transition she’d experienced when returning from Thanksgiving break, but it was nothing like that. She left home later than intended because it was storming, which only served to remind her how much she missed Hudson. She had to drive slower than she would have otherwise, and it was late when she arrived. She was exhausted from all the tossing and turning she’d done for at least a week. Her bags got soaked on the walk into the resident hall she lived in, and her clothes and hair were plastered to her body. She shivered on her way down the hall, dreaming of a hot shower and her bed.
When she let herself into her dorm room, she was met with a frizzy haired blonde girl that gave her a sweet smile.
“I’m Gabby.” The girl gave a half wave.
Right. Her new roommate. “Hi, I’m Reagan.”
Reagan set her stuff on her bed and tried to be reasonable with the newcomer. She wasn't in the mood to be polite, but she couldn't start off this new relationship on the wrong foot. She didn't say anything while she peeled off her wet clothes and threw on a robe, and then grabbed her shower bag from the closet.
“I, uh, just need to get a hot shower, but it’s nice to meet you.”
Gabby didn't say anything so Reagan just went down the hall. She moved quickly, not interested in anything other than getting warm and going to sleep. When she got back to her room, Gabby was sitting on her own bed brushing her hair.
“Where are you from?” Gabby asked.
“Virginia. You?” Reagan put her things away and sat on her own bed.
“Ohio.”
“Oh, so you had farther to travel than me. Which dorm were you in last semester?”
“Dorchester Hall. I didn't like my former roommate and I begged to be switched.”
“Well, thank God. My former roommate was awful, too. She couldn't wait to get out of here. I promise I’m not obnoxious, but tonight is not a good representation of my best self. I’ll be brighter and more fun in the morning.”
Gabby laughed. “I believe you.”
With a smile, Reagan turned off her lamp and lay down for the night.
She didn't feel any more rested in the morning, but she kept her grumbling thoughts to herself as she picked out a nice outfit for the day and accepted the coffee Gabby had made. There were definitely perks to no longer having to put up with Lydia.
“Thank you for being so thoughtful,” she said as she pulled on her jeans.
“Absolutely. I want to make this work.” Gabby was clearly a cheerful morning person, which Reagan wasn't.
“I think it will. I’ll see you this afternoon, right?” Reagan threw on a sweater and grabbed her bag and a granola bar.
“Yeah, my last class is at four.”
“Okay, mine, too. I’ll see you then.”
She left the room and hustled down to her car. She had her interview in the middle of the day between classes, and she was excited about the prospect, despite her misgivings about the long-term ramifications. As she headed into the building housing her literature class, she thought about the fact that she hadn't brought up her dilemma the last time she spoke with Hudson. She’d been focused on Grant and the remainder of their time together and hadn’t called Hudson again. They’d exchanged texts the night before when she’d arrived, but that was it. She knew he was disappointed that she hadn't come over, and it didn't help that it wasn't looking good for the rest of the week, either.
“Good morning, everyone,” she heard just as she came to the open classroom door. Her nipples tingled just at the sound of his voice. Hurrying in and sitting down, she pulled her blank notebook out and tried to focus.
She was easily distracted the entire time he was lecturing. As far as she could tell, there was very little difference between the previous semester and the current one except for what literature they were going to be studying. Instead of focusing on that, she was focused on Hudson himself. He hadn’t shaved his beard, and it had grown out nicely over the past month. His cheekbones were well-defined above the dark red growth, and his eyes sparkled as his gaze caught hers, holding the promise in them that when they finally got together it would be explosive. The resonating tone of his voice made her heart beat faster as he brought up the syllabus.
Reagan tried to look down at her notebook and focus, but it didn't work for longer than a few minutes at a time. She pictured finding him in his office after class. With the new semester, she didn't have to be in her next class immediately after this one. The thought of at least having a minute to kiss Hudson and tell him she would love to see him as soon as she had the time had her temperature rising. Maybe she'd make things easy on both of them and let him do a little more than kiss her. Their connection was like a steel cable attached between them. She felt the pull as he moved around the room, even when she didn't look at him. She couldn't help staring at the clock and watching the second hand move around as it approached the end of the hour. As soon as he announced that everyone could leave she was up and heading down the hall to his office. She waited impatiently outside the door for him to arrive, leaning against the wall and trying not to look suspicious.
He came down the hall with a swagger that stole her breath. She wanted to check around them for other faculty, but she could only stare at him as his long legs ate up the carpeted hallway. Reagan could practically see the need in his eyes as he approached, but she stood still with her arms crossed.
“I need to see you for a minute, please, Professor Clark.”
He grinned. “Of course, Miss Hughes.”
She waited for him to unlock the door before preceding him inside. As soon as he closed the door behind them, she pounced.
