I’m so caught up in how she’s made me feel more alive this past week than I have in the last ten years of my life. I’ve opened my own restaurants, gotten married, and traveled almost all over Europe, yet this fucking woman has made me feel like myself again. Like the person I was before all of that. My authentic self. And I have no idea if it’s because she’s younger, or if it’s her personality, her beauty, how our conversations flow, or even because she’s the hottest sex I’ve ever had. Whatever it is, it scares me as much as it excites me.
My phone buzzes.
Fuck, I zoned out for too long.Clearing my throat and taking a deep breath, I yell, “You have five minutes left! Please have your dishes ready by then.”
I walk toward my station at the front of the class, where I can get a clear view of everyone. This lab has gone well, and mystudents are better than I expected when I accepted the job. Leo has outdone himself every time, only improving, and that’s exactly what I’ve been looking for, even if he does have a thing for Emma. If he didn’t, I might like him a little more.
The alarm I set for the entire class rings, and I quickly glance at Emma, who has her head down, seeming to write something in her notepad with her long, wavy, golden hair cascading over one shoulder. Her long, parted bangs cover part of her face, and as if she senses my intense gaze, she looks up. I immediately look away from her and quickly scan my students, not risking her winking at me again.
I head to the first station to observe and taste their dish, while in the back of my mind I hope she’ll be sitting in the same chair when all the students clear out.
Emma
Grayson’s studentsleave the lab as I slowly pack up my things. Leo’s talking to him, and they’re both smiling at whatever it is he said. I take a couple of steps toward them, and overhear Grayson say, “Congratulations on the dishes from today.” My eyebrows shoot up at his huge change in demeanor with Leo.
Leo then steps away and nearly bumps into me near the doorway.
“Hey.” His voice is enthusiastic, and I use the same tone.
“Hey. I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation with Professor Hayes.” I nudge him with my elbow.
“I know. It’s going better than I expected.”
“I’m happy for you.”
We stand in awkward silence as I wait for him to leave.
“I’ll see you next week, then?” I try to bypass him when he stops me short.
“Emma.” He hesitates, and I know what he’s about to ask me.
I can’t seem to catch a break this week.
I clear my throat. “Yeah?”
Leo takes a step forward. “I know you said to ask you at the end of all this, but since you’ll be done with your article soon, I thought I’d ask you out now…again.” He laughs nervously, and I shut my eyes, taking a deep breath. Leo’s someone who made me feel a little something at the beginning of the semester, but if I’m being honest with myself, it was never going to happen if Grayson and I became what we are now, not after we slept together.
I nervously twist a strand of my hair around my finger. “I’m kind of seeing someone.”
His eyes widen. “Oh shit.”
“I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
He smiles. “It’s totally fine, Emma. I’m just happy I asked you now instead of waiting.”
“I’m glad you did too.”
Leo lays a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll see you next week then.”
That seems to be the ongoing trend,I want to say, but I simply nod.
Leo leaves, and I don’t see a hint of sadness in his eyes—only surprise and a little disappointment.
Looking around the room, I sigh and tip my head down with a grunt. It feels dumb to think that I’m tired from turning guys down; it sounds stuck-up and annoying, but I hate hurting or disappointing people, especially when they’ve been nothing but kind to me.
“Was it that hard turning Leo down?” Grayson says from a couple of feet away from me, and I smile before turning.
For the first time, I’m not wearing heels to one of his classes. It’s too damn cold outside now, and I stayed up way past mybedtime finishing my weekly article. Comfy boots were necessary.
