Grayson raises a hand, and I follow it until he brushes my loose hair over my shoulder and leans down so his lips are near my ear. A sharp breath escapes me, and his woodsy scent surrounds me.
“The next time you come into my kitchen and try my students’ food, tie your hair into a bun. The last thing I want is a stray long blonde hair near the food I taste.”
He runs his fingers through my hair one more time and stands straight.
The heat building in my core turns into fury. If he weren’t someone I was interviewing, I’d slap him in the face for talking to me this way. Embarrassing me on purpose, making me think this is all in my head when he proved the opposite last week and now.
Grayson smirks slightly, and I clutch my notebook tighter than before.
“Until next time, Emma.”
He gathers his belongings and walks away. I only take a deep breath after he leaves the classroom.
Um, what?
He never answered my question, and not only did he avoid it, but he also insulted me.
I will not take that lying down. It’s been weeks of me walkingon eggshells to make sure I don’t piss him off, and there’s still over a month left of this project. Things can’t stay the same, I won’t allow it.
I run to the spot where he left and open the doors that lead to the faculty and student parking. His car is the only one remaining in the lot, and he still hasn’t left. In fact, he’s just now rounding the vehicle to reach the driver’s seat.
“Professor Hayes!” I shout, but he doesn’t hear me. I start jogging as quickly as I can in these heels. “Grayson!” I call even louder as he opens the door to his truck. He meets my eyes, and they widen in confusion. I’m only a few feet away when the heel of my left shoe snaps, and I almost fall sideways, catching myself just in time. Squealing, I partially regain my balance, and a couple of seconds later, Grayson is by my side helping me.
“Fuck, Emma. Are you okay?”
Looking down at the heel that snapped off, I frown, more disappointed that my favorite Louboutins broke than the fact that I almost fell.
“I’m fine. It’s happened once before, but that time I did fall.”
“Why the hell were you chasing me in those heels?”
Forgetting my shoes for a moment, I turn my head, with anger still burning hot in me.
“Because you avoided my question. Because you’re avoiding meagain. The only exceptions are when you nearly made me fall twice now and when you had too much to drink last week,” I spit. “What is your deal, Grayson? It’s been weeks, and you’ve been sending me nothing but mixed signals.” He stares at me with another neutral expression. I push his hand that’s on me away. “We still have over a month of being stuck together, not including this weekend when I’m visiting your soup kitchen, so what the fuck is your damage?”
Grayson runs a hand through his brown hair and turns around, his shoulders slumping.
“Let me walk you to your car,” is all he says.
Trying to dodge the question again.“Answer me, Grayson.”
“Where’s your car, Emma?” he grits out, his back still facing me.
I bite my lip to contain my frustrated scream. “I don’t have one.”
He finally turns. “I’ll drive you then.”
I laugh loudly. “I’d rather call a cab, thanks.” If he’s going to avoid the question after I push him the way I did, then fine, but I’d much rather take a cab home. I’d call Jake, but his car is at the shop getting something done.
“Don’t be stubborn.” He sighs.
I lift an eyebrow. “You’re one to talk.” But he has a point. It’s Thursday night, and the taxi company in town isn’t nearby. It could take twenty minutes of waiting in a dark parking lot.
Shit.
“Fine.” I remove both heels and walk barefoot, sparing him no further glance.
Once we get to the car, I open the door and notice how tall the vehicle is compared to my height.
