Page 159 of Love Unspoken

Dr. Brooks smiled. "Dr. Gantz has been singing your praises, and the Chancellor mentioned that you have some capable Teaching Assistants to help with the research. That said, I'd also like to offer my support—especially if you're planning to conduct focus groups or qualitative research."

I liked this team better and better.

"I think whatever strategy we come up with will include both quantitative and qualitative measures."

"I can be of help with your questionnaires," Maury Tipton offered. "As a policy adviser, I spend my life buried in that sort of thing."

I smiled gratefully. "I'm going to need all the help I can get. What kind of timeline are we thinking about?"

Lucas pushed a folder toward me. "Here is the brief. We're hoping that we can do the research by Christmas and then present the analyses by early Spring."

I chewed on my lower lip.

"Is that a problem?" Rena asked.

I shook my head. Once the research was done, I could do analysis from Dad's house in New York. That way, I'd have something to do instead of sitting around moping. This might actually work out.

"We will then decide how to proceed as a team," Jill told me. "Amara, depending upon your availability, of course, we would very much like for you to lead the implementation as well."

I cleared my throat, avoided looking at Lucas, and faced Jill instead. "I don't think that will be possible, as I'll be leaving Charleston in December. I can complete the remaining work from New York and present the findings and recommendations, but you'll need to find someone else to implement the program."

Jill sighed. "Well, that's what the Chancellor said, but she hoped…."

"Let's not borrow trouble from tomorrow," Rena said firmly, "I'd like to have Jill walk us through the project brief, so we're all on the same page."

I could feel Lucas's eyes on me, which I ignored, though my heart was beating fast. And my lady parts were salivating. My vagina needed some serious talking to.

Lucas and I are done! I'll find someone hot and sexy in New York for a one-night stand or two. Just hang in there, you stupid cunt!

My vagina wasn't impressed with my statement, and my eyes surreptitiously watched Lucas hungrily like he was the most delicious meal on the planet and I hadn't eaten in days.

It was obviously going to be a challenge, working so closely with him, but I was determined not to let it distract me.

Good luck with that, my vagina declared smugly.

I was having a conversation with my genitalia. I was losing my mind.

The meeting continued, with each person around the table contributing their expertise and ideas. I listened carefully, taking notes, as a plan for tackling this enormous challenge started to take shape in my mind.

As the meeting drew to a close, Jill summarized our next steps. We set up the next meetings on our calendars and packed up.

I was walking to my car, when Lucas caught up with me.

"Amara, can we talk?" he asked.

I hesitated, my instinct to run conflicting with the knowledge that I couldn't avoid this forever. Basil was right. I didn't like uncomfortable situations and escaped them, not meeting them head-on. That would not serve me well with Lucas or in the future, wherever it may take me.

"Okay," I gave in.

He seemed surprised for a moment and then a smile broke on his face. "Savannah's is around the corner. We can walk there."

TWENTY-FOUR

LUCAS

Savannah's was a small café tucked away on Broad Street. Its brick exterior was weathered but charming, with a hand-painted sign above the door that simply read Savannah's.

Inside, the smell of freshly brewed coffee hung in the air, mixing with the scent of pastries and the faint hint of vanilla from the candles on each table.