“Samuel took him to the ice cream shop across the street from where we’re staying Uptown. I really felt like we were intruding on Landon’s privacy after so long.”
I smile in understanding. “Would you have L.J. FaceTime me as soon as he gets back?”
“Of course. Are you ready for your exams?” Carrie asks.
“One down, a paper turned in, and one more to go.” I don’t mention that it is the hardest one. I don’t want anyone to know how much I’ve struggled.
“Well, good luck and we’ll talk soon. And don’t worry.”
Easier said than done, but I don’t want Carrie to feel worse than she already does. We disconnect the call just as the class ends, and the students stream out of the lecture hall.
Realizing I took my backpack but left my small purse on the floor by my chair, I wait for everyone to leave and head back inside. I see my little bag on the floor and bend down to grab it.
When I rise, Shane is by my side. “Is everything okay? You bolted out of your seat and scared the shit out of me.”
I manage a smile though I still feel shaky and am beyond upset. “I’d left my phone on by mistake. Carrie texted me. L.J. fell and needed stitches. She said he was fine but I needed to talk to her.”
His gaze is one of complete understanding. “And? He’s okay?”
I bite down on my lower lip, which has begun trembling. “He is. He was running with a pair of scissors.” I shake my head and mutter, “Boys.”
Shane raises a hand and slides his palm behind my neck. “Did you speak to him?”
“No. He went for ice cream with his grandfather.”
Shane’s low chuckle reassures me somewhat. “If he’s up for ice cream, he must not be in too much pain. I’m sure they numbed the area first.”
Tears begin to fall from my eyes unexpectedly, and Shane swears, then pulls me into his arms. “Shhh. He’s fine. You’re just upset because you weren’t there for him.”
“How did you know that?” I ask.
“Because I know you.” He slides his fingers through my hair, and I let my emotions free, sniffling into his white dress shirt beneath his jacket. I like that he always dresses for class, taking even summer session oh so seriously. My professor, I muse, my thought taking me off guard.
Mine.
I want him to be mine, because in the short time I’ve known him, I’ve fallen in love with everything that is Shane Warden.But I’m not ready to tell him. Not while we are still in professor-student limbo.
“You okay now?” he asks.
I nod, wanting another minute in his safe, secure arms.
That is my mistake.
“I knew it.” Dan stands by the last row of seats, his phone in his hand, aimed at us. “I knew you didn’t raise your grades on your own.”
“What the hell?” Shane, who has already separated himself from me, strides up the aisle toward the smug punk. “What are you doing?” he asks him.
“Proving what I suspected. That she fucked her way to a passing grade.”
“But… No. I didn’t! I had a tutor. I—”
Shane holds up a hand, cutting her off. “Don’t bother arguing with him,” he says in that authoritative voice I remember from the first day of class. “I’ll deal with this. Amber, you can leave.”
I blink but the tears fall anyway, the entire emotion of the last few minutes catching up with me… along with the fear that Dan’s accusation could cost me everything.
***
Amber
