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“Just because they can hit a small circle into a big net, doesn’t mean they get more time to complete their assignments.” I cross my arms, trying to appear confident instead of annoyed.
He chuckles light-heartedly and I relax.
I meet his gaze and remind myself to tone it down a bit. Be nice, Noel. You’re too brash, which is probably why he’s never asked you out.
I clear my throat and smile at him… I’m hoping that’ll make him think I was joking. “I’m sure they’ll be happy to have their degree to fall back on if they ever get injured.”
“Dr. Woodcock, do you play sports?” he asks, his face still calm.
I shrug a shoulder lazily, pretending I was expecting the question. “Of course,” I answer quickly. “I lift weights.”
By lifting weights, I mean I sleep with a weighted blanket. The look of surprise on his face is priceless, so I’m not admitting that last part to him. I mean, I have lifted weights. Andie made me and Mel try it out during one of our girls’ nights. It was horrible.
His eyes quickly dip down my body then back up. When his gaze meets mine again, I’m expecting a heated look, like the one Colby gives me when he blatantly checks me out. Instead, Dexter only looks unconvinced that I lift weights. Apparently, my tall, gangly form doesn’t do it for him. For a moment I feel self-conscious… or maybe just annoyed that I’m attracted to Dr. Hawthorne, but he looks at me like he would look at his mother, or little sister.
Taking a moment to study him the way he did me, I realize he’s just as tall and gangly. Pot, meet kettle. “Do you play sports?”
Internally, I berate myself again. Chill, Noel. This is not how to get a nice, intelligent man to ask you out. Be calm, be poised. WWKMD? (What would Kate Middleton do?) That’s probably the type of woman he prefers.
He grins. “Of course, I was on scholarship at university.”
“For what?” My voice comes out louder and more unbelieving than I wanted it to. That certainly wasn’t a Kate Middleton response. Dexter will never see me as a dateable woman at this rate. My words have always come out too freely… guys don’t like that. Except Colby, he seems to thrive on my word vomit. What a creep.
“Pickleball.”
I snort a laugh before I can hold it in. When I take in his offended expression, I disguise my laugh as a cough. “Right. That’s cool.” I raise my eyebrows, trying to appear impressed. “Did you find it difficult balancing your pickleball schedule and your homework?”
He shifts on his feet. “No, I didn’t. And as you said, I’m grateful I kept up with my studies since I wasn’t a career-athlete.”
Can you have a career as a pickleball athlete?
I change the subject, “Right, I know you’re a fantastic history teacher, and they’re welcome to transfer to your class.”
Good job, Noel. I’m giving myself an imaginary pat on the back. Guys love compliments. Dexter’s shoulders straighten and his chin lifts slightly, I believe he’s preening. Since the compliment went well, I continue, “I’m a fair teacher, and I’ve given them plenty of time to complete everything. If they don’t procrastinate, it shouldn’t be an issue.”
Dexter… er, Dr. Hawthorne’s chin tips down again, in a subtle nod. “Alright then. Well, enjoy your date.”
I blink a few times in surprise before remembering he overheard the end of my call with Colby. I open my mouth to respond but before I can, he turns on his heel and walks out of my classroom. His tall form quickly disappearing around the corner.
I sigh, closing the door behind me. Should I be more lenient about deadlines? Colby’s comment about having a stick up my butt pops into my head. I remind myself I'm a professor, not a babysitter. But there’s still a lingering tightness in my chest, the inkling that I need to change something or do something to make myself more likable. Then perhaps, I’d be more attractive to the opposite sex.
What do all the girls in my books have that I don’t have? Why am I the uptight spinster instead of the cool girl who catches the attention of the most eligible bachelor from across the ballroom?
Is being a chill, cool girl what attracts guys like Dexter? How can I be so confident and accepted by my friends, but so absolutely misunderstood by men?
My eyes prick with tears. I swallow them back. Crying over this is absurd. I need to find a book on the topic and study. Studying has never let me down.
A thought pops into my head… I know the perfect person to help me with this. Someone who knows everything there is to know about attraction and dating and what draws a man in.
Who needs study material when you have a real-life dating expert.
Colby Knight, you’re finally about to do something besides drive me crazy.
CHAPTER 7
COLBY
“Happy thirtieth birthday, Grandpa,” Bruce says as he steps out of his beat-up old Chevy. We’re in the parking lot of the children's hospital to visit the kids. We visit once a month as part of the Eagles’ community outreach program, and we bring toys for the kids. I usually drop by and visit an extra time or two though, because I love seeing how the kids are doing.
