She’s here.
She’s sitting in the same window booth she always claims, and she’s wearing another one of her maddeningly short skirts. It’s a tan plaid skirt that looks soft to the touch, paired with a tight black short-sleeved turtleneck and knee-high black boots. Despite her boots and short heels, I know that I would still tower over her, and our size difference gives me a primal sense of satisfaction. She’s sporting dark red lipstick that draws my eyes to her perfectly shaped bow lips, and her hair lies in golden curls down her back in a style I’ve never seen her wear before. A sick hope that she went to all this effort in the hopes of seeing me enter my mind, and I have to physically shake it off.
I make my way to the bar where I order a Guinness and force myself to look at anything besides the intoxicating blonde behind me.
The bartender, Dave, hands me the beer and gives me a head nod in greeting. “Papers to grade tonight, Ash?” he asks.
“No.” I shake my head. “I just thought I’d have a beer or two and read my book before calling it a night.”And that is the only reason I’m here.
Summer’s laughter rings across the bar, and I’m unable to stop myself from looking her way. Her friend from class seems to be making an impression of someone, resulting in Summer’s giggles.
Dave follows my gaze and smiles. “She’s in here almost as much as you.”
“Yeah,” I mumble, still caught up in her smile. “I’ve noticed.”
“She also comes in here alone to work on her laptop or to read.” He gives me a pointed look. “If you talked to her, I bet you two would really hit it off.” I take a hearty sip of my beer as I resist looking back at her again. It feels too complicated to explain to him why ‘hitting it off’ with my student is a bad idea. He pulls out a martini glass and nods in her direction. “I can send her a drink from you,” he offers. “She has a usual.”
“No, no,” I say quickly. I pull the small paperback out of my jacket pocket and snag my beer off the bar. “I’m just here to read, not socialize.”
He glances between Summer and me before pursing his lips to avoid grinning. “Let me know if you change your mind.”
“That won’t be happening,” I assure him, but he’s already walking away to speak to another customer, and it just sounds like I’m trying to convince myself.
I turn and make my way over to a table in the back of the bar closest to the pool tables. I feel eyes following me across the bar, and when I plop down into the chair, I look up to see Summer looking my way. Recognition flashes in her eyes before she quickly looks away, a light blush coloring her cheeks. I settle into my seat and try my best to focus on the novel in my hand.
Coming here was a bad idea. Hoping that she would be here was an even worse idea. Realizing all this and not leaving promptly is the worst idea I’ve had all day.
I stare at my book without taking in any of the words.What is wrong with me?I practically blew off Nikki, who was nothing but kind to me. She’s close to my age, successful, and beautiful; there’s literally nothing wrong with her. So why did I find myself counting down the minutes until I could politely end our date? Why wasn’t I interested in taking her back to my place? Why didn’t I get a drink with her instead of coming here on my own?
All valid questions that I have zero decent answers for.
I try to block out the bar and remind myself that all it would take to end my career is Summer reporting me to the board. Even though the thought is scary, it still doesn’t tamp down my desire for her.
Another magical laugh drifts across the bar, and I grit my teeth in response. I glance over my shoulder at her as she flips her hair away from her face, exposing a delicate neck. My grip on my book tightens, and I can hear the paper crinkle in protest.
I run my hand down my face, feeling the stubble along my jaw before taking a healthy sip of my beer.Maybe if I drink enough, I’ll forget about the fact that I’m attracted to my student.
5
SUMMER
Stop looking over at himin the hopes that he’ll be staring back atyou.
Sam and I had been at the bar for the better part of an hour before our professor showed up. Sam immediately perked up when he noticed him and had elbowed me so hard that I was pretty sure I’d have a bruise in the morning.
I hate to admit that I was hoping to see him here… but ever since I had realized he came here just as often as me, possibly more, I found myself hoping to see him whenever I was here. And, loath as I was to admit it, the possibility of running into him here did affect how much effort I put into my appearance before heading out the door. I had actually curled my hair for once instead of simply brushing it down my back. I am also wearing my lucky lipstick again, but that is neither here nor there.
I rack my brain for the last time I got dolled up. It’s been ages. Since before I decided to stop dating during my master’s program.
I know Asher noticed me when he walked in. I caught him looking my way when he ordered his drink and chatted with the bartender. I hate that his gaze sends butterflies fluttering throughout my stomach. I still caught myself wishing that we had met under different circumstances at least once a day. What I wouldn’t give to feel those large, and I’m sure capable, hands on my body.
“Has he always come to this bar?” Sam asks, drawing me out of my thoughts.
I grumble, “That’s what it’s starting to feel like.”
“How have we never noticed him?” Sam wonders. “The man is a giant, and smoking hot. I just can’t believe that we’ve been coming here for so long and neither of us has attempted to hit that.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not looking to date anyone, and I haven’t been looking for most of the master’s program. I don’t need any distractions.”
