“I know the type,” I keep a fake smile on my face, as whisps of my hair break loose from the clip in my hair. Molly reaches for the door and pulls it open, a blast of warmth instantly wrapping around me.
I step inside, and take it in. The interior of the cabin smells like wood smoke and pine. It’s cozy in a way that immediately puts me at an ease I don’t expect. She leads me to a small table by the window, fog dotting the glass outside.
“Sorry about the mess,” she says, waving vaguely around the room. “My dad’s guys are always in and out when I’m not around.”
Maybe Cade is one of them.
I place my bag on the floor and pull out her essay, flipping it open carefully, as if what she said doesn’t mean a thing to me. “No worries. This space is perfect.”
Molly slides into her chair, excitement and nervous energy crackling off her. “I really want to get this right, Dr. Williams. I mean, I hate failing—even if it was just one essay. I was thinking about what you said. The approach reallydoesmatter.”
I smile softly, trying to calm both her nerves and my own. “I agree… But first, we’ll focus on strengthening your analysis. Let’s look at your thesis, your argument structure, and how you’re integrating evidence.”
She nods eagerly, and we lean into the work, papers spread across the table. Time passes, or at least it feels like it. The cozy cabin, the light snow flurries falling outside… It almost lulls me into a false sense of calm.
Like I’m really Dr. Jenna Williams out to help a student who needs it.
Not Jenna Kellan, the woman who came from pure fucking chaos.
“I think this is better,” Molly slides what she has across the table to me, but before I can read it, a blast of cold air sweeps through the room.
I turn as the door swings open, cutting through the quiet like a gunshot. I freeze on the spot, my breath catching in my throat. Calvin Bradford steps in, hat in hand, jacket dusted with snow, eyes instantly locking onto me.
My eyes drop down to the paper and my stomach clenches…among other things I refuse to acknowledge.
“Evening, Dr. Williams,” he says, his voice calm, but with that edge that feels like a knife. He doesn’t move further inside as he shuts the door, pausing to hover just inside.
Molly stiffens beside me, and I force myself to look up, forcing my expression neutral. “Mr. Bradford,” I stutter. “Nice to see you.”
He studies me, his eyes moving across my face slow and deliberate. “I see my daughter failed to get you that coffee she promised.”
“Whoops.” Molly shoves her chair back from the table. “I amsosorry. I swear, I made some…”
“It’s okay,” I reassure her, ripping my gaze from her father and back to her. “I completely forgot about it. It’s not a big deal at all.”
“I’ll get it,” Calvin stops Molly from standing, holding a hand up. “You keep doing whatever it is you’re doing.”
Molly makes a face at him. “Tutoring, you mean.”
“Right,” Calvin chuckles, his lips turningslightlyupward in a smile.
And watching thealmostcurve, has me on the edge of my seat. It’s like waiting for something that will probably never come, but the suspense is there anyway. I shake it off, and then drop my attention back to the essay, trying to remember my talking points again.
“What do you want?”
“Huh?” I snap my eyes back up, my brows furrowing.
Calvin gives me a weird look, holding up a mug I didn’t realize he ever filled. “In your coffee?”
“Oh… Um… Creamer?”
“Give her the hazelnut,” Molly chimes, as Calvin opens the fridge. “The sugar free vanilla tastes awful.” She turns to me. “Trust me.”
“I trust you.” I run finger over the essay in front of me, avoiding the sight of the cowboy at the fridge.
“Dr. Williams, you want the hazelnut?” His voice causes my hand to jerk slightly.
“Yes, please,” I choke out.Why is he so startling?
