AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I laughed, feeling some of the tension that’d taken over my body start to dissipate. How did just seeing words she wrote do that to me?
Me: Thanks. I appreciate condolences. I also expect you to say something nice at my funeral, if that comes sooner than anticipated.
There was a minute of those little dots dancing at the bottom of my screen before she sent a laughing emoji face.
Mia Miller: Is giving a eulogy part of the job description? I suppose I better get on that. We’ll have to hang out more though, if you want anything other than ‘he was an asshole boss’. That and ‘he knows how to hold his beer’.
Me: Damn, I suppose maybe I’d prefer at least an added ‘he was a decent fellow’, so I’d better figure out a way to prove it, aye?
Mia Miller: LOL! Aye? I’d swear, sometimes you’re British.
Realizing this small exchange was turning into a full-blown conversation, I made my way to the library where I’d settled my home office and sat my ass in my comfortable swivel chair. Meanwhile, I heard Caden thump back down the stairs and turn on the TV in the living room.
Me: Apologies, sometimes my graduate school in London comes back to haunt me.
Mia Miller: Right, I think I read something about that on your Wikipedia.
I barked out a laugh at that. She’d looked me up?
Mia Miller: I didn’t mean it like that. I’m not a creeper or anything…
Mia Miller: Oh God…
Me: I forgive you. Besides, I’m an interesting and impressive character. It’s only natural for you to want to learn about your boss. Do me a favor though, if you want to know something, ask me. Wikipedia doesn’t have the whole story on anything.
There was a minute of silence from my phone, so I took that time to pour a rather tall glass of some sweet cognac. It burned in the best way on the way down, leaving a sweet, floral blossom of flavor in my mouth. The floral note reminded me of the salivatingly delicious lavender and vanilla scent that followed Mia around. Aaaaand I was hard again.
Cursing myself and trying to think of something other than my sexy little TA, my phone buzzed again on the glossy wooden top of my desk.
Mia Miller: I’ve got so many questions about you, Owen. That’s a dangerous thing to offer.
I didn't think before writing,
Me: Ask away.
There was a long pause that sent my heart all pitter patter in anticipation of what she’d say next. I’d put the offer out there, but would she take it?
Dragging another slow sip of the cognac into my mouth, I felt my phone buzz again, but just gripped it in my hand.
Something in me didn't want to look at the text so I could just enjoy the rare sort of anticipation that was flowing through me, but the other part, the stronger part, needed to know what she’d said.
Mia Miller: I keep asking myself, why me? Not only have you picked me for a TA, but I keep thinking that, maybe, you picked me for a friend.
Mia Miller: If I’m wrong, stop me now before I say something else stupid…sorry.
I wasn’t sure how to respond to that. She wasn’t wrong. Our chats, and the dinner we had the night before… It felt like friendship to me, too. Friendship with a girl half my age who was still learning about herself and making her way through life. I was a pervert, yes, but when we were together, age melted away. It was just us and words and the sparkle in her eyes.
Mia Miller: Oh God! If I’m wrong, stop me now before I say something else stupid…PLEASE!
I chuckled.
Me: It’s your brain. You’ve got that kind of old soul, but at the same time life is still so fresh for you, it’s exhilarating. I enjoy our conversations.
Those dots blinked at the bottom of the screen for far longer than the word that popped up required.
Mia Miller: Oh.
That was it. Those two letters.
