“Woman,” I corrected him. “She’s a full-grown adult who decided to go back to school.”
“Aah. I hadn’t realized.”
I nodded. “But you need to know I intend to pursue a serious relationship with her now that class is over. And if you have a problem with that, if I need to choose between my job and Amber…” My heart nearly beat out of my chest as I drew a deep breath.
I’d been up most of the night contemplating this conversation and what was more important to me. And no matter how much I want tenure, no matter that I knew if I blew it at another school, my fault or not, I wouldn’t get a third chance, I came to the same conclusion.
“I choose Amber.”
The man’s expression was bland, his eyes not giving away a damned thing as he said, “I’d like the night to consider the situation.”
So I went home alone. Not wanting Amber to worry about the fact that a decision would be made about my career, I didn’t call her. If I spoke to her, I don’t trust myself not to tell her everything, and she needs to focus on passing the test. So I texted her back, told her everything would be okay, and left the details until today.
Right now she is taking the exam.
And I am awaiting my fate.
“I was up much of the night,” Dean Frost says.
Join the club, I think.
“As you know, you haven’t broken school rules, but I do have to look at the ethical considerations of you dating a student.”
“A former student of mine as of yesterday,” I feel compelled to remind the older man.
Dean Frost nods. “Yes. And she is an adult, as you said. Although there is the argument to be made that any of our students over eighteen are adults. I’d be setting precedent.”
I think I’m going to throw up. My career, everything I’ve worked for, is about to disappear before my eyes.
“However, the fact that she is not a young woman but an adult with experience behind her does help your cause. As does the fact that you stepped aside while class was going on. You covered the exams, made them impartial, and handled things with impartiality.”
His hard stare doesn’t allow me to read his final thoughts at all. I stand, hands clenched, shoulders tense, and wait.
With a frown, the dean says, “I can’t say I like it or that it’s going to make things easy on us going forward… but you would also have a case against us for unlawful termination if I fired you. Which I don’t want to do. You’re a good professor. A solid addition to the faculty. And you got a raw deal twice, first at your last school and now again here. I knew Dan was a loose cannon, and I did nothing to prevent him from causing trouble again.”
“So where does this leave us?” I ask.
Dean Frost extends his hand. “It leaves you with your position intact, Professor Warden.”
“Thank you, sir.” Relief filling me, I clasp the other man’s hand. “I appreciate your understanding.”
To my surprise, Dean Frost smiles, dropping the stern formality he held on to throughout our meeting. “I met my wife when I was eighteen. It was love at first sight. I’m not going to deny you what’s obviously true love.”
I grin. Although I didn’t say the words to myself, I know it’s true. Why else would I be willing to give up my job for Amber?
“So what are you waiting for?” Dean Frost asks. “Go get your girl.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Amber
Ifinish myexam, too afraid to hope. Yes, I think I passed. But did I get a C? C-? D? It is anybody’s guess. I need the D to pass the class, and I really believe in my heart it is possible. But even with that huge concern off my shoulders, I’m not free of worry because I still don’t know what Shane’sDon’t worry, I have it handledtext meant.
I step into the bright sunshine and look around. If I hoped to see Shane, I am disappointed. There are plenty of happy students whose final test of the summer has ended but no Shane.
I make my way home, taking the long way, needing to walk and clear my head. L.J. is coming home tomorrow with his grandparents, and real life is about to descend on me. I am so excited to see my baby, but I know it means more responsibilities, more routine, more schedules. I’ll have to find ways to find time to see Shane… if he still wants to see me after what went down with Dan.
By the time I arrive on my street, I decide I’m going to Shane’s house to talk to him and find out what is going on. Except I don’t need to.
