“Hi, Savannah. Yeah, it’s been a while. How have you been?”Be pleasant. Be kind. Don’t be an asshole.
Her eyes light up at my inquiry. “I’ve been great! I spent most of the summer traveling …” she shakes her head and laughs, “but you already knew that. I still wish you and Leo had decided to join the group of us in Florida. The beaches were to die for and the little bungalow we stayed in had a private beach just for us. I can’t begin to express how incredible it was to lay out in the sun without worrying about tan lines.”
Of course, she went there. I don’t even know how to respond to that. “Uh, yeah. Sounds like you had a great time. You know why we couldn’t tag along, though. Leo and I both had a shit ton of work to do this summer and besides, you went with your sisters. Don’t you think it would have been a bit awkward taking a trip, just the five of us?”
I see Leo about halfway down on the left. I lift my chin in acknowledgment and head in his direction. I failed at ending this conversation before it even began, so Savannah follows close behind, speaking quietly so only I can hear.
“I think we could have had a great time,” she croons. “And it wasn’t just my sisters — a few friends from college came, too. You guys missed out on a week of relaxation, surrounded by topless women. We could have enjoyed the hot tub together, or the outdoor shower.”
I swear, this woman is disgustingly forward. I don’t want to hear another word about her trip but I also don’t want to cause a scene by telling her to fuck off. I stop at the end of Leo's row and, before making my way toward my seat, turn and look down at Savannah.
“Look, Savannah, I’m glad you had a good summer and had fun with your friends in Florida. However, I’ve told you more than once that I’m not interested and I’d appreciate it if you respect that.” Direct, but considerate. I try my best not to beat around the bushwhen it comes to women, but no matter how many times I say no to her, she still thinks we are going to happen.
She laughs and slaps my arm, no doubt an attempt to make everyone around us think I’m telling her some hilarious anecdote. Her mouth may be laughing but her eyes are … sad? Angry? Resentful? I’m not sure but I think it’s some combination of the three.
Gripping my bicep once again — much harder this time; fuck her nails are sharp — she finishes her laughing charade. “Oh, Dexter. You are too much. I’d love to chat some more but I need to go find Jessica. Talk later! Hey, Leo!” Savannah twiddles her fingers his way and then walks off to find her friend and colleague.
Leo looks at me as I sit down next to him, a questioning look on his face. “What was that about?”
“Not worth rehashing. Where’s the dean? I have so much to catch up on today; I hope this meeting doesn’t drag on.”
Leo drops his voice, impersonating our ancient dean of faculty who speaks slower than a turtle crawls. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for coming today. It’s always a pleasure to begin a new semester surrounded by such competent faculty and staff.”
I shake my head, rubbing my forehead. “One day he’s going to hear you and then you’ll be fucked. You know that, right?”
Before Leo can respond, Dr. Daniels clears his throat in the podium microphone, calling all to attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for coming today …”
As I walk back into my office suite nearly an hour later, I see Deborah typing away at her desktop. I swear that woman is like the Energizer Bunny. I’ve never seen fingers fly across a keyboard as quickly as hers.
“Deborah, have you already set up my weekly meetings with Alis Gilmore?” She looks up at me, pushing her sliding glasses up her nose.
“Not yet. She took my card and said she’d reach out, but I’m happy to email her and get them on your calendar if you’d like.” Yes, I would like. I would like very, very much. The sooner the better.
“Perfect. I know Wednesdays I have an hour open for lunch. Can you put her down for 11:30 and tell her to meet me at Nico’s?”
Deborah eyes me suspiciously. “Nico’s? Isn’t that place packed during the lunch rush? How are you supposed to have a productive meeting surrounded by frat kids with no concept of volume control?”
I rub my chin. “Good point.” But I want to share a meal with her. A non-date meal, of course. Strictly professional.
“They deliver around campus, right?” Deborah opens a drawer to her right and shuffles through a stack of menus. This glorious woman is always prepared for anything. She finds the Nico’s trifold and scans the front page from top to bottom.
“Yep. Thin crust, pepperoni and bacon?”
I smile at her. “You know me so well. What would I do without you?”
She smirks. “Forget every meeting, be late for class, walk around with coffee stains on your shirt. My ability to remember superfluous details like your topping preferences should garner me a raise, yeah?”
“You know I would if I could. Next time we do employee evals I’ll drop a hint to Matthews, sound good?”
“Most definitely. And until then, Dr. Belanger, don’t forget I accept gifts of appreciation in the form of coffee and breakfast pastries.”
I wink at her before heading to my office. “Only for you, Deb. You’re a gem.”
“A diamond!” she hollers at my back as I enter my office and close the door behind me.
FIFTEEN
Alis
