“I promise. You’re unforgettable.”
31
QUINN
AUGUST — ONE WEEK TO WIN OVER THE FACULTY
My last class.
For an opportunity I barely wanted, this summer has been a game changer.
As always, we’re sitting in our little, cramped room for our Wednesday morning class. But unlike the other Wednesday mornings, no one’s mind is fully here today. The internships are done, there’s nothing else to discuss, and it feels like a waste of time. I’m sure the students are just as anxious to get out of this room and soak in their last few days in Rome.
We have one last group dinner tomorrow night, and then the program’s officially over. Students will head off, some to the airport to go home and others to travel for a couple weeks before the fall semester kicks off back in Boston.
And I’m going to get one week in Rome with Colton. One more week to figure out if I have the guts to accept more from him.
One of the students half-heartedly answers my latest discussionquestion. I’m starting to wonder if I should call it for all of our sakes when Colton comes barreling through the door.
“I’m sorry for the interruption.” He turns serious eyes on me. “There’s an emergency and we need to cancel the rest of class. Professor Riley, I need you to come with me right away.”
“What’s going on?” I ask, nausea settling in my gut.
The students chime in alongside me.
“Is everything okay?”
“What’s going on?”
“Did something happen at home?”
Colton lifts his hands, mustering all the professorial intimidation he has. The students cut off immediately, and I’d have laughed at the power he holds over them if I didn’t feel like I’m going to puke.
“I assure you, there’s nothing to worry about. It’s a personal matter Professor Riley needs to attend to, so please gather your things and enjoy your last days in Rome. Professor Riley, come with me quickly.”
My heart’s in my throat, my stomach churning as I hurry after him.
We rush up behind a crowd standing at the door—Colton’s students, who he already dismissed.
“Let us through, guys,” Colton calls out.
“Dr. Miller, you don’t want to go out there right now. It’s pouring.”
Colton glances over his shoulder at me. His stern mask never breaks, but I see the glint in his eyes. The expression eases my nerves, and he sees the question in my eyes.What are you up to, Colt?He shakes his head, glancing sideways at the students.
“Thanks for the heads up, but we need to get through. It’s an emergency.”
The class parts like the Red Sea, and Colton subtly grabs my hand to pull me behind him.
“What the hell is going on, Colton?”
“Everything’s fine. Trust me. You’ll be happy if you do.”
He tugs me after him as we run through the rain, not bothering with umbrellas. The chilly water is refreshing in the Roman heat, soaking us through in seconds. He tosses me a helmet as we reach his Vespa.
“Move faster, woman, or all of this’ll have been a waste.”
I laugh, but do as he said. “I’m going as fast as I can, asshole.”
