“Not another scandal,” the president bemoaned.
“No scandal. Just that Dr. Finch was kind to me this semester. He held my son when I had to bring him to class. We’ve gotten to know each other over the last few weeks, and, now that I’ve graduated, I hope to pursue a relationship with him.”
I settled my butt on the floor, leaning my back against the wall. I stared up at her. She was still my little doe, quiet and small, but she had an inner strength I’d noted when she told me about her brother, about becoming Hudson’s mom.
“Aspen knew I was attracted to Dr. Finch; I’m not great at hiding my feelings. She used Dr. Finch’s kindness and my crush as a reason to make her accusations. I wanted it on record that he was professional at every interaction we had on campus.”
“Good to know,” the administrator simpered.
I think I hated her as much as Ms. Omerich.
“To reiterate, I intend to pursue a relationship with Dr. Finch, if he’s interested, that is. Just to be clear,” Libby said.
“That’s no concern of ours, young lady,” the president said.
I took Libby’s hand between mine and squeezed her fingers.
I was low…lower than I’deverbeen professionally. Students would talk about this moment, but I couldn’t stop that. All I could do was be thankful Libby was here, at my side. She settled next to me, her hip touching mine. I took Hudson from her, glad for his slight, reassuring weight in my arms. I needed to rinse out my mouth. I needed to send those files.
She brushed the hair back from my forehead as she studied my face. “I’m falling in love with you.”
She was beautiful, and I’d remember this moment on such a monumentally terrible day forever. “I’m already in love with you,” I said.
She rested her head on my shoulder, and I wound my free arm around her.
Enrique grinned at us. “You two are adorable.” He scrunched his nose and his shoulders. “Aspen’s gonna get it and you gonna get some, Libby.” He chuckled. “Man, I love happy endings.”
CHAPTER11
Libby
After our firstdate on the floor outside his office with the various university officials side-eying us, I wasn’t as concerned about meeting Jamieson’s son…until we pulled up in front of Jamieson’s rented house, with its large wreath and lights wrapped around the porch pillars. It was lovely, homey—reminded me of my parents’ house. A boy appeared in the doorway. That would be Escher, Jamieson’s son.
I wiped my sweaty palms on my wool skirt and looked back hopefully, at Hudson, who was asleep in the back seat.
Jamieson had driven slowly, with care, and we’d made it to his house with no stress. Well, no more anxiety than traveling by carandmeeting my newly-minted boyfriend’s son would create.
“Dad! We won! We’re going to—who’s with you?” Escher peered into the car, squinting against the tint of the windows.
I shoved open the door, careful not to smack the boy…who was half a foot taller than me.
“Hello,” I said. “I’m Libby—”
“Dad told me he liked you. I can see why. You’re pretty.” Escher’s face might have been redder than mine.Might. I wasn’t sure.
“Thanks,” I said. “You’re, um, really tall. So…you play a sport?”
“Soccer.” He continued to stare at me. “We’re going to the championship.”
“Great job.” Jamieson wrapped his arm around Escher and pressed a kiss against the boy’s damp hair.
“Thanks. So, you’re the lady Dad likes?”
I flashed my eyes up toward Jamieson, who offered me a smile. “And, come to find out, Libby likes me back. She told me and the entire university staff we’re together today.”
“That’s epic.” Escher seemed to regain his bearings.
“Out of control,” I said with a small grin. “I’m not normally so forward, but today was…interesting.”
