AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Okay, what’s up?”
“Well, Dean Langston came to speak to me yesterday about the letter of recommendation that I wrote for you. He’s really hoping you take the position in the fall. Have you considered it any further?”
I sighed. “I just don’t know that teaching is what I want to do. I was honest with Dean Langston that I have applied for several jobs, and I just want to weigh out my options. He said that he wanted to hold the position for me for a couple of weeks to give me time to decide.”
“I understand that. But you could always take it and see if you like it. You were the strongest TA I’ve ever had. You’re very relatable, and the students like you.”
I saw the hospital a few feet ahead, and I was ready to get out of this heat. “When do you think I’d need to let them know?”
“I would make a decision pretty soon. These aren’t positions that come up often, and there are a lot of people who would jump at the opportunity to teach at one of the most prestigious universities in the country.” There was always a bit of arrogancein his tone when he spoke, but he was a humble guy when you got to know him. We were from two completely different worlds, but aside from our work ethics, we didn’t have much in common. Our twelve-year age gap was probably the most exciting thing about our short-lived, passionless relationship.
“All right. I’ll think about it.”
“I’ll try to buy you some more time,” he said. “I do miss you, Ruby.”
I winced because I hadn’t expected that. There really was nothing to miss. We didn’t know one another well enough to miss each other. We had a very professional relationship until we crossed the line two months before I graduated.
“That’s kind of you to say,” I said, making an effort to keep my voice light. I didn’t want to lie and say that I missed him, because I hadn’t really thought about him since I’d left. But I also didn’t believe he’d missed me. I think he missed the idea of me. The excitement of sneaking around with someone he wasn’t supposed to be dating. Having sex with a younger woman, maybe. But we hadn’t gone deep. I didn’t know anything about him other than his educational journey and the fact that he’d traveled a ton over the years.
“I think you underestimate your allure.”
“Thank you.” I approached the hospital, and I was desperate for a water now.
“You’re welcome. Let me know when you decide what you’re going to do. I’m guessing it’s your best option; you’d be foolish to pass it up.”
He was probably right, but his comment annoyed me at the same time.
“I’ll keep you posted. I’m at the hospital, so I need to go.”
“All right. We’ll talk soon. Goodbye.”
I ended the call and tugged the door open, on a mission to head straight to the drinking fountain, when I looked up to seeRiver leaning against the wall near the gift shop. He wore a black fitted tee and dark jeans. His face was tan from all the sun he’d gotten today, and his hair was a wild mess of dark waves. He held a bottle of water between two fingers and dangled it back and forth, taunting me. “I thought you might be needing this.”
I didn’t say a word. I just hustled over to him and attempted to snatch the water from his hand, but he pulled it back.
“Are you seriously not giving it to me?” I huffed.
He leaned forward. His face was so close to mine that I sucked in a breath. “Just say it.”
“Say what?”
“Just say that you were being stubborn, and you should have just gotten in the car with me.” He smirked.
“Fine. I should have gotten in the car. Can you please stop torturing me and give me the bottle of water?”
“Was that so difficult?” He held it out to me, and I grabbed it and untwisted the lid before tipping my head back and guzzling the whole damn thing in one long sip.
“Thank you,” I said, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand and tossing the bottle into the recycling section of the garbage can beside the elevators.
“You’re welcome.” He held the door open to the elevator and motioned for me to step on, and he walked in behind me.
We were silent, and I glanced up to see him watching me, but he turned away the minute my gaze caught his. We stepped off the elevator and walked side by side toward my father’s room.
“Did you have fun today?” he asked.
“Surprisingly, yes.”
“See, this town isn’t all bad.”
