“I was always going to like you in fifty years. You letting me see you naked is just an extra incentive,” I say as I walk over to the door. “But if I don’t leave now, I’ll be late. Talk when I get home?”
She smirks. “Don’t spend the whole dinner with your mentor thinking about how I’ll suck your dick tonight.”
I groan and grip the door handle so hard the edges cut into my skin. “You’re evil.”
She laughs. “See you soon, Colton.”
I rush out of the apartment before I blow off Dr. Cassia to drag Quinn back into bed. I need this meeting. She wants an update on my research, and I need her opinion on how to move forward after the shit show with Richard.
She’s already seated at our favorite restaurant when I arrive. She kisses each cheek and couples it with a tight squeeze. “You look well.”
“Thank you, Dr. Cassia. You too.”
She rolls her eyes. “Colton, I’ve told you many times to call me Gianna. We’re colleagues.”
I chuckle as I tuck my napkin onto my lap. “Still feels weird.”
“Well, practice, dear. Now, tell me all about this summer.”
I fill her in on my classes and involvement with the Rome program, plus the research I’m hoping to publish. We brainstorm on how that will impact my standing at Billings and the pre-tenure review I have coming up next year.
“I did run into one issue,” I say as the waiter clears my entréeand sets down dessert. I wanted to leave this for the end of the meal. I know it will lead to a lecture, and I didn’t want it to spoil my steak.
Dr. Cassia—Gianna—lifts an eyebrow. “What?”
I clear my throat. “An argument with Richard Riley.”
“What sort of argument?”
“It was about Quinn.”
She shakes her head. “I always knew that would end up being an issue with Richard. Is she here this summer?”
“She’s teaching a class in the program with me.”
She beams. “That’s fantastic. She always had a way in front of people. I’m sure she’s doing a superb job.”
I glance down, moving things around the table to distract from the dopey smile I get whenever I talk about her. “She is. But while talking to Richard, she came up. He said some… unflattering things about her.”
“And you defended her honor.” She smiles indulgently at me. “You always were sweet on her.”
I don’t touch that. She’s been my mentor for twelve years, and our relationship has always been more personal than the one with Richard, but talking about my love life is a step too far for me.
She settles further into her seat, crossing her arms. “So, how bad was it?”
I rub my hand over the back of my neck, keeping my focus on the plates in front of us so I don’t have to see her reaction. “Bad. He gave the impression he’s going to tank my career.”
She sucks in a breath. “Call him as soon as we’re done here and apologize.”
I look up then. “Absolutely not. He was wrong.”
“Of course he was wrong. But sometimes you have to eat your words to keep your career moving forward.”
“That’s bullshit. And weak.”
Her eyebrows raise to her hairline. “Weak? It’s real. You havelived in a bubble of support since you entered this field. I’m not saying you’re not immensely talented, because you are, but you are also very, very lucky. Richard and I have pushed for you, your opportunities and positions. You may not find the field so welcoming when one of its leaders is against you.”
I rub both hands down my face. “So I throw away my morals and beliefs for a job?”
