He raises a dark brow at me. “Or anyone?”
When I blush instead of answering, he gives me a quick, amused grin.
“I know what it’s like to be young, Savanna. Have your fun, but keep your eyes on the goal, okay? I’ve seen too many young women fall in love and set their dreams aside for someone else’s. That’s the last thing I want for you.” He holds up the folder and hands it to me. “I made some notes for you to read. Your ideas are good, and you’re going to make one hell of a teacher.”
When I reach for the folder, he keeps a tight grip on it while he adds, “If you stay the course.”
“I will, Dr. Ellison,” I assure him as I take the folder and then return the easy smile he’s giving me.
“Go on,” he says. “You can’t bealmostlate for two classes today.”
“I won’t be.” I turn back to give him a wave as I speed walk out of the lecture hall. Once I’m outside, I race down the path that leads to my next class. While I’m jogging past a group of students coming from the other direction, I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I pull it out right as I hit the steps outside my next building.
NIKI:
Everything okay?
I turn around and look up, trying to find the security camera.
NIKI:
To your left, beautiful, by the oak tree.
Spotting the camera, I wave and blow him a kiss before typing a response.
ME:
I’m fine, just running a bit late. I’ll tell you about it later.
NIKI:
Looking forward to it. Have a good class, Van.
I blow him another kiss before rushing inside.
The rest of the day passes by as expected. I’m on time for everything, and I spend my lunch break eating a large slice of pizza from the cafe while I text Niki and get a head start on some of my assigned readings. Just like he promised, he’s waiting for me when I step out of my last class, and falling back into his strong arms feels like the most natural thing in the world, like we’ve been doing this routine for years instead of just one day.
Over the next couple of days, Niki is waiting for me every morning with breakfast so he can drive me to my first class, and he’s waiting for me when my last class lets out. I’ve had some big papers due, so after we grab supper together, I’ve been forced to put my focus on classwork instead of on him, but he’s never once complained or made me feel bad about it. There’s a four-day weekend coming up, though, and I’ve been secretly working ahead so that I’ll be able to spend most of the time with him.
That’s still a week away, and I’m busy thinking about how it feels like a lifetime away when he surprises me with a text.
NIKI:
I hope you’re hungry tonight. My family always has way too much food at these dinners.
ME:
We’re having dinner with your family?
NIKI:
We are. Be ready in 30, sweetheart.
I drop my phone and scurry my ass into the bathroom, torn between excitement and terror. I’ve met his family before, but this will be my first time meeting them as Niki’s girlfriend. I try not to think too hard about that while I rush to get ready.
Chapter 9
Nikita
