His saying those two words makes me laugh. “Oh yeah…” I look at him again and lean forward, feeling tipsy and eager to share the pieces I’ve been putting together for the past hour, now that he’s acting like a normal person. “Wanna know why I think they did it? Or at least the girl who arranged this whole thing?”
Grayson also leans forward. “Hit me.”
“She’s jealous because she didn’t get to interview you and because that interview led to the piece I’m writing now.” His eyebrows shoot up, and I go back to eating. “People also spread the word about how attractive you are, and she was envious of not meeting you.” My eyes close the second the sentence leaves my mouth. “I mean, you know, people gossip. Not me, but others on campus.”
When I glance to see his reaction, all I get is a big grin. “I’ve heard students talking about me and some of the faculty. They’ve said similar things.”
Swallowing a fry, I shrug. “Big college, but word gets around.”
“So, you agree with them?”
My laugh is completely sarcastic, as if he doesn’t already know the answer. “Maybe you should stop drinking, Professor. You’re toeing a fine line here.”
He places the glass down. “You’re right. I apologize.”
Even though I just said he was toeing a fine line, there’s something that’s been itching at me to ask him. “How did you figure out my name is Emma?”
Grayson clears his throat and rubs a hand across his jaw. He’s clearly caught off guard by the question, and I’m worried he won’t respond, but he does.
“I called my sister, who was a big reader in high school, and told her a bit about you.” My eyes widen slightly as I stop chewing.He told his sister about me? “I mentioned you were an English major and gave her the nickname you used that night?—”
“Lizzy,” I say softly. The nickname of one of my favorite characters inPride and Prejudice.
He nods. “Anyway, I told her what I remembered from what you said, and she put two and two together…”
Swallowing the small piece of food in my mouth, I say, “I guess using two Jane Austen references made it a bit easier.”
He offers me a tight smile, and we sit silently while I finish.
This man must’ve had too much to drink if he was willing to tell me this. No one in my life knows about Grayson, yet he told a family member.
“Why did you want to know it?”
I seem to catch him off guard again. His jaw tightens as he examines every inch of my face. “Fine line, Emma. Very fine line.”
Squirming in my seat, I set my napkin down, knowing I’ve gone too far.
“I should go,” I say quietly. “Thank you for doing this. It…helped.”
“It was no problem.”
The check is set on the table, and I go to grab it, but Grayson beats me to the punch.
Oh, hell no.
“It’s on me.”
“Absolutely not. I know how much all this costs, and it isn’t appropriate.” I reach out to grab the check from him, but he pulls it away.
My eyes narrow.
“And from the extensive research you’ve done on me, you’ll know I have the money to pay for it,” he retorts.
He fishes out his wallet, and I jump out of my side of the booth to his.
“Hand me the check, Grayson.”
“Can’t do, Emma.”
