“I try not to bring my personal life into work.” Nick stares down at the table, wondering if she assumes the divorce is his fault. And to be completely honest, he isn’t sure, or maybe that’s the self-pity talking. Either way, he hasn’t hit his ten minutes yet today. “I’m living with my sister and her daughter right now, the one who loves your music. They have a guesthouse in the backyard.” He brings his gaze back to hers. “What about you? Do you…have anyone at home?”
“Besides my gardener and the cleaners who come every other week?”
“And the private-jet salesman.”
“Right. Gary. It’s so nice of him to do house calls.” She shakes her head. “Nope,” she says with a puff of breath on thep. “Just me and my cat, Janet.”
I didn’t have anyone else to call,she said in her voicemail.
Ramona Wilder…might be lonely.
“I don’t mind giving you a ride home. Or back to your car, if you prefer.”
“Back to my car would be great. Thank you.” When she reaches across the table to give his arm a pat, her sweater slips down one shoulder, exposing another constellation of freckles there. Or at least, it would if he were looking. Which he isn’t.
He forces himself not to react to her touch. It’s a simple pat of gratitude—he’d be a perv to read anything else into it.
“You’re actually not that bad outside of class,” she continues.
“Oh god. How bad am I inside of class?”
“No, no, you’re great. For everyone else,” she says. “I know we got off on the wrong foot and you don’t like me very much, but I don’t think I’m too terrible a person, if you give me a chance. Aside from what happened with your car, which I promise you was deeply unusual and not at all indicative of my true moral character.”
“It’s…possible I made some snap judgments too,” Nick says, swallowing hard. “I’m sorry. And I don’t think you’re a terrible person, either.”
Ramona grins. “Not inherently evil?”
“Well. Let’s see what your car insurance covers.”
The sun has started to set, the parking lot filling with other diners. Ramona slides on her sunglasses.
“You know,” she says thoughtfully. “You have my numbernow. It might be a good idea for me to have your personal number too. Just in case something like this happens again.”
He rubs at the back of his neck. Everything else that’s happened today could sort of fall under his DD duties, if you squint. He was helping someone in need, and then they both had to eat. They just happened to do it together. But giving his number to a student—a student who called him hot and gave him a gratitude-pat on the arm—that is the very definition of a bad idea. A crossed line.
But it’s a bad idea he really, really wants to say yes to. A moral quandary for a class he’ll never teach.
“Sure, Wilder. The next time you’re trapped in a mall bathroom, just let me know.”
She passes him her phone, and he types his number in. A moment later, he has a message from her. Three emojis: a teacher, a burrito, a roll of toilet paper.
And when he drops her off at her car, she promises to do the homework.
Ramona Wilder:did you know that your textbook has a 4.8 out of 5 on amazon?
Nick Navarro:Based on a whopping 9 reviews.
Ramona Wilder:quality, not quantity
Nick Navarro:…
Why were you stalking my book, anyway?
Ramona Wilder:I have this thing
I’m sort of obsessed with reading product reviews
Nick Navarro:Aren’t most of us, when we’re buying something and want to know if it’s decent or not?
