“I’m the one who should be apologizing,” Michelle interrupted. “I’m sorry for how I reacted when you pulled me out of the meeting. I was embarrassed, but that’s no excuse.”
Audrey looked down at her satchel, fiddling with the zipper as if she wasn’t sure how to react. “It’s fine.”
“It’snotfine. I can only imagine what you must think of me. I’ve been on my worst behavior with you this semester, and you’ve done nothing to deserve it.” She paused as an uncomfortable flush crawled over her skin. It was so difficult to say these things, but Audrey deservedto hear them. “I’m deeply sorry for the way I’ve behaved, and I will try to keep my unpleasantness directed where it belongs in the future, which is anywhere but at you.”
Audrey stared at Michelle, her eyes suspiciously wide and glossy, which confirmed just how much Michelle had hurt her and how overdue this apology was. “I ... thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Michelle managed a wry smile, surprised to realize that she wanted the camaraderie Audrey had been trying to foster between them. Lord knew she could use an ally in this building ... perhaps even a friend. “And thankyoufor the ruse to get us out of that meeting. I was dying in there, which you unfortunately noticed.”
Audrey let out a burst of embarrassed laughter. “I was dying on your behalf. I just couldn’t sit there and watch you try to be stoic about it for another moment.”
“Well, Iamgrateful, despite how I initially reacted.”
“You do drink a lot of tea in the afternoon ...” Audrey was still laughing, her cheeks a rosy pink.
“I do, though I should probably curtail my tea drinking on committee-meeting days.” She forced a self-deprecating smile.
Audrey’s expression sobered, her eyes questioning. “Why did you tell me you only needed to touch up your lipstick? I would have covered for you. I was trying to help.”
Michelle sighed. “Again ... I was embarrassed. My family is very proper, very formal. My mother taught me from an early age that ladies only visit the lavatory to powder their noses. Nothing else should ever be mentioned. As far as I’m aware, no one in my family has ever used the toilet ... or so they’d have people believe.”
“Wow, that sounds miserable.”
“Maybe, but that’s how I was raised, and it’s often served me well here on campus, especially in primarily male spaces.” Michelle paused, debating how much to say. But she was trying to forge a connection with Audrey here. “You know how it is for a woman, the comments behind our backs. ‘Oh, it must be her time of the month’ or ‘she spendstoo much time primping in front of the mirror.’ No one ever questions a man for needing to use the restroom.”
“I actually haven’t heard any of that here, but I’m sorry you have.”
“Maybe things are starting to change for the better, then. I sometimes have a tendency to catastrophize, and I’m very sorry—again—that I took any of it out on you.”
Audrey waved a hand in front of herself. “Apology accepted. Clean slate.”
They exchanged hesitant smiles, and then Audrey fiddled with the zipper on her bag again. Just like that, the conversation stalled. Michelle was terrible at this, but ... she wanted to try. Audrey seemed interesting to talk to, if Michelle could get over her bitterness about the damn Women in Art class.
Right now, though, she was exhausted. “I suppose I should get home, since you so kindly got me out of the meeting early.”
Audrey grinned. “They’ll probably be talking for another hour.”
Michelle chuckled. “Oh, they definitely will. And despite all that talking, they’ll leave without having made any solid plans for improvement.”
“We’ll get them on track next time,” Audrey promised, sounding so optimistic, Michelle almost believed her.
“All right. Good night, Audrey.”
“Night.”
Michelle turned to leave, then glanced back over her shoulder. “Oh, and Audrey? Please call me Michelle.”
“Glad to, Michelle.”
Audrey’s joyous smile lingered in her mind all the way home.
Chapter Six
Audrey parked across the street from Stuart’s house, then reached for the bottle of red wine she’d brought, as well as another handmade vase filled with seasonal flowers, her standard gift when she was invited to someone’s home. The department chair was hosting a “welcome back” cocktail party tonight, something he apparently did every September. It was a chance for the faculty and staff of the art department to mingle, catch up, and talk shop with each other.
For Audrey, it was an opportunity to get to know her new coworkers in a more casual setting. So far, the only person she’d spent any time with off campus was Mercy. Most of the rest of the art professors were a lot older, but that didn’t matter to Audrey. She’d always prided herself on her ability to make friends outside her own demographic.
The evening air was cool when she stepped out of her car, with a certain crispness that only came in the fall. It was her absolute favorite time of year, and nowhere else did fall like Vermont. She couldn’t wait to experience it again.
