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“He said he had a bet going with his wife on how long we would last before we hooked up and wanted to know the exact time frame.” Leo pursed his lips. “And then he said that as long as I’m still working hard at my job, he doesn’t care.”
“Everyone sees how hard you work. If they think you’re being a hypocrite, then they’re wrong.” Piper slid her hand down his forearm and laced her fingers in his.
“You’re right.” He nodded. “I think falling for you actually helped with the show. No one needs a director who’s never been in love to direct a love story.”
“Probably shouldn’t have cast me to play the woman in love, either,” Piper noted.
“You were the best casting choice I made. Besides Emma… and Sam.”
“Hey!” Piper swung and hit his arm, but Leo just shrugged.
“You and Wes are on equal footing,” he said. “But maybe loving you does make me want to give you preferential treatment, because logically, I know that Emma and Sam are better actors and have better vocals, but if you were singing next to the both of them, I’d be staring at you.” It was staggering how easily he could find Piper in a room. Even when he had hated her, he couldn’t seem to peel his eyes away. Piper jumped on her tiptoes, and he brought his lips down to hers. It was just a quick, chaste kiss, but it was enough to set his head straight. “Okay, let’s go burn down my image.”
When they walked toward the stage, an entirely different scenario than what Leo had expected was unfolding. Sam and Wes were practically suffocating Emma in a group hug, and the entire cast and crew were cheering. Leo stopped short of the stage and tossed a glance at Piper, who wore the same hopeful look he assumed was on his own face. If this celebration wasn’t what he thought it was, he was going to storm the university president’s office.
“What’s going on?” Piper split from Leo and ran over to Emma.
“Waylen Hornbill is officially no longer a professor at Fletcher University,” Emma announced. Relief sagged Leo’s shoulders, and it felt like a breath of fresh air after being stuck in a burning building.
Leo approached the group. “How did that happen?”
“They did an internal investigation. I had to go give a statement and was assured they had already started investigating my original report even before we pulled our stunt. But we made it easy for them.” Emma’s face faltered. “There were six other women there, including one of my professors.” Leo had thought the rage was gone, but it surged back once again.
“It’s okay.” Piper came to his side.
“That’s only the number of people who said something.” Leo shook his head. “He had tenure. How many—” He choked on his words before he could speculate further.
“This is a win, Leo.” Emma’s soft voice broke him out of his spell.
“I’ve had a class with him every year for four years. I knew there was something wrong with him. I knew it.” His voice wavered. “I’m sorry.”
“This isn’t anyone’s fault but his.” Emma gave him a stern look. “You are not a mind reader. There wasn’t a whole lot to be done until someone called him out. I’m happy, Leo. Is it the best possible outcome? No, because he won’t end up in prison or anywhere he truly belongs. No, because his wife dutifully came to get all of his shit for him, and he has children. But it is a win.”
“How could anyone be married to someone like that?” Leo grimaced.
“He’s manipulative,” Piper answered.
Emma nodded in agreement. “Whatever he does on campus, I’m sure it’s worse for her.” She sighed. “But, right now, I think we need to focus on the good. We accomplished something.”
“You accomplished something. We were just there,” Leo corrected.
Emma smiled. “People being there and supporting me was half the battle. Handling it in isolation would have been worse.”
“Being alone is worse.” Piper nodded.
“Plus, you two have something to announce, don’t you?” Emma gave Leo a cheeky grin. His eyes went wide as he heard Piper say, “Nope! Nothing to announce.” For once in their lives, they were on the same page about something. It was entirely inappropriate to be announcing their relationship on the tail end of more important news.
“So you aren’t together, then?” Emma’s eyebrows rose.
“We are.” Leo shifted his feet and shot Piper a look of discomfort.
“But an announcement?” Piper tossed her hand in the air. “I don’t think that’s necessary, do you?”
Piper met his eyes with a plea he was already planning on complying with. Leo jerked his head back and forth. “Nope. No announcement necessary.”
“You two are idiots.” Emma rolled her eyes. “Hey, everyone!”
“Emma, no, that’s—” Leo tried to interrupt, but Emma had already gotten everyone’s attention.
