Gesturing between him and me, I replied, “This. And I’d better go because I do represent him, and someone catching this moment right now could spread rumors that I’m stepping out on him . . . Something I would never do.” I started gathering my papers. “Dr. Radi, let’s pretend this conversation never happened. I hope we can continue to work together and that you won’t retaliate because I only see you as my professor.”
“Of course not. I would never use my power to hurt anyone.” His tone sounded indignant.
“Don’t use that tone as if I’m paranoid. You threatened to kick me off your research if I didn’t meet with you.” I grabbed my laptop and pushed it into my leather backpack. “If I need to find another chair for my dissertation, let me know now because I fully intend to graduate by the end of the summer.”
He reached for my forearm and just as quickly dropped his hand. “No, I didn’t mean to offend you or for you to perceive this as harassment. I thought maybe you felt something between us and didn’t act on your feelings for the same reasons I didn’t.” He sighed as I stood up with my bag on my shoulder. “Whenever you’re ready to defend, I’ll make myself available even if I’m still in India. Nothing has to change. I do want to collaborate on future projects wherever you end up teaching. We can forget this minor indiscretion and poor judgment on my part.”
“Thank you. I would hate to think that I was completely wrong about you,” I said with a smile I didn’t feel, hoping that the stares I felt from others were curious ones, not those ready to post and start drama. Canaan pegged Dr. Radi right. Pulling out my cell as I walked briskly to my Lexus, I called Canaan, prepared to leave a voicemail.
“Kensie.” The deepness of his voice caressed my ears.
“Oh . . . I didn’t expect you to pick up. Figured you were practicing.” I twirled one of my braids around my finger, hating the smile that fell across my lips on its own volition.
“I’m meditating before I do another drive.”
“Didn’t mean to interrupt you. Why did you answer the phone?”
“Because it rang,” he teased. “What do you do when you hear the phone ring?”
“You could’ve let it go to voicemail.” I caught my flushed, excited face in the rearview mirror.
“Who uses voicemail these days? Text me if you need to leave a message.” He then drawled, “I answered because I wanted to hear your voice.”
“Oh, you did? Why?” My jaw already ached from grinning.
“I haven’t been able to sleep without you.” He paused. “Kinda got used to you yapping away about your day that makes me sleepy. If you’re not coming back, can you record yourself so I can make your voice my ASMR?”
“Ugh. I swear you drive me insane,” I giggled.
“I’m serious. Can you send it to me? Like right now.”
“No, because you’re about to have the real thing. I’m catching a late flight out tonight back to Miami.”
“Maybe flying in tomorrow morning is better. Your ass likes to sleep late when you go to bed too late, and I need you at the track by three,” he chuckled.
“Exactly why I need to fly tonight. I might miss a morning flight.” I smiled, loving that he knew that about me. “And I want to be there for you.”
Canaan was silent for a beat. “I’ll handle everything and get someone to pick you up. We have a late practice, and I don’t want you catching a ride with a random.”
“You do know I do Rideshare all the time?”
“Kensie . . .” he warned.
“Okay . . . okay. Thank you.”
“See, gratitude isn’t hard.”
“Goodbye, Canaan.” I pressed the ignition.
“Hey . . . hey . . . Kens?”
“What?” I sounded breathless to myself. I loved it when he shortened my name.
“Did you miss me?” His quiet ask seemed more of a demand.
“Madly.” I clicked off the cell before I thought too deeply about what I’d just admitted and pulled off into the traffic.
Chapter 16
