Kaelee laughed. “So you really got married? Wow. I thought the rumors were lies.”
“I’m not married, but that doesn’t mean I like you looking atmy friend like you are planning on trying to get her into bed.” Toni sounded perfectly calm, but also possessive enough that Addie’s pulse thrilled at the territorial vibe of it.
“No poaching intended,” Kaelee said, glancing over at Addie briefly with a friendly smile. Then she continued, “I was just keeping her company while I waited on you. I wanted to talk to you about—”
“Not today,” Toni interjected.
“You’re usually free after your ten thirty,” Kaelee pointed out. “I can email for your notes, though.”
“Good idea.” Toni darted a smile at Addie. “Luckily for me, I am not free today.”
Then, surprisingly, Toni reached out a hand. Instinctively, Addie took it, and Toni pulled her close. She brushed a kiss over Addie’s cheek. “Hello, dear.”
Addie was grateful that her back was to Kaelee, because her eyes widened in shock at Toni’s greeting. Toni was acting incredibly familiar, and Addie hadn’t expected anything of the sort. “Hi,” she managed.
“I have office hours posted, but outside of appointments, I’m not going to be free this week. If you could tell my classes that, Kaelee, I’d appreciate it. Addie only has a few days before she has to go back to LA.” Toni didn’t release Addie’s hand even as she unlocked and opened her office door.
“Right. Send me the notes. I can pick up your Tuesday Thursday 386 section, too. Let me know if you need anything other than class coverage,” Kaelee offered.
“Thanks. I’ll email you later.” Toni didn’t even glance at her. She simply pulled Addie into her office and shut the door.
Once she released Addie, Toni looked a lot less confident.
“Thank you for being patient with Kaelee.” Toni looked like she’d peeled off a mask. “She’s a great TA, but she’s also finishing a book and so she has a lot of questions about publishing. I’m not role-model material, and—”
“Really?” Addie interrupted. “Successful, accomplished, sexy? You seem like a pretty impressive role model to me.”
“Ignoring that.” Toni smiled at her, nonetheless. “She has alternated between asking about the publishing world and trying to be my friend. I told her I couldn’t read her book until after she’s not my TA.” Toni sighed. “I’m new to the professor thing, and she is a good TA, but… I feel like her friendship is awkward when I’m a professor. I mean, I get the drive to go to the bar with a friend and meet… err, people.”
Addie felt a bloom of jealousy, but it was quickly quashed when Toni added, “It’s not like she’s interested in me, but I haven’t felt much like being at the bar since I’ve been seeing—I mean since you and I… are whatever we are.”
“Well, I can make the sacrifice of kissing you in the hallway when I’m in town, so she understands you aren’t going out on the prowl as her wingperson,” Addie teased. “Maybe that would clarify matters for her.… Maybe it will clarify some things for you, too.”
“I wouldn’t say no to a kiss.”
Addie reached for the door. “Shall we step outside? Kiss for your reputation? To protect you from your fan club?”
Toni pulled her into her arms. “No. I want a kiss just for me. I hated when you were mad at me.”
“Who says I’m not still angry?” Addie said, sounding far too breathless to be even a little convincing. She’d thought a lot that morning, and she wanted to move forward. She could accept that this was temporary. It was for the best for both of them. All Addie had to do was keep her feelings in check.
“Are you angry?” Toni stared down at her.
“Depends. Where am I sleeping when I visit you?” Addie wasn’t going to keep letting Toni push her away, only to pull her closer when she wanted to talk or have sex. “Are you going to treat me like youractualfriend?”
“My friends don’t share my bed, Addie.”
“Well, this one does. Your bed. Your body. I want to be able to be with you, Toni. I’m not asking you to write me sappy poetry, but I want you to admit that I matter to you.”
“You do.”
“And you like having sex with me,” Addie prompted.
“I do.”
“And since people already think we’re together, and more will after that statement you sent the publicists, so there’s no harm in being around each other in public.” Addie stared at her, bracing for Toni to flinch.
“True… Can I kiss you yet? Now that we’ve negotiated the terms of my surrender,” Toni teased.
