Page 33 of The Professor's Wife

“I have,” I finally said, smiling even though my eyes ached and my voice sounded scratchy from lack of use.

Amused, he asked, “What’s gotten you so worked up that you’re not home in bed watching Friends reruns?”

I laughed and, with my finger still marking the page, closed the book enough for him to see the cover.

“Biology 12,” he read thoughtfully. “No wonder you look tortured.”

I instantly felt embarrassed. “I need it to complete my Adult Basic Education. Exams are in a week, and I…I’ve been busy.”

The university ran its upgrading courses through the continuing-studies department, which was the only reason I was allowed to disappear into this library with the degree students.

“Last-minute crunch.”

“Yeah.”

I needed to pass with flying colors if I wanted any chance of getting into nursing school.

His warm brown eyes flicked to mine. I squirmed under his penetrating stare.

He was ridiculously beautiful.

And older.

Much older than me.

“That would still be a tough one for me,” he said.

“Really?” I asked, surprised.

“Science was never my forte.”

“I’m glad I’m not the only one.”

His eyes crinkled with amusement. “You should have taken philosophy.”

“Why?”

He smiled slowly, and my heart pounded in response. “Then you’d have been in my class, and I’d have been much easier on you.”

Oh, my God.

He was a professor here.

Of course he was.

I smiled, unsure how to respond in the heat of the moment. It had been so long since I had socialized with anyone who wasn’t another student, a coworker, or a customer.

And June didn’t count.

With all her work at the daycare, she communicated more through grunts lately than actual words.

“I’m crunching, too,” he said just then. “I have a lot to grade. I’m actually about to hit the coffee shop. I can pick you up a cup.”

“I didn’t bring any change,” I replied softly. “But thanks for offering—”

“It’ll be on me.”

I gave him an incredulous look. “You wouldn’t mind?”