Page 123 of Teach Me Your Ways

“Thank you. There’s something else. About you two.”

Cece and I exchanged a look. Oh fuck. Just when I thought things were on a good trajectory.

“What about us?” I asked. Felix and I had an odd friendship, but we understood each other. And he had to know I wasn’t going to back down from Cece. Never again.

If he tried to pull any of Carver’s bullshit, I was going to toss all my shit right back in the box. I would give up my career to be with her. No way was I going to let him take her away from me. Fuck that. I didn’t care if we were best friends and owned a business together.

Felix cleared his throat. “According to policy, student-faculty relationships are still… well, not ideal. But I’ve reviewed your situation.”

“There’s no fucking rule against it, Felix.”

He held up a hand. “You and I both know there are some technicalities, and if someone wanted to, they could push. But that’s not going to be me. I will not intercede. Not now. Not ever.”

Cece exhaled. “Thank you, Felix.”

Felix smiled. “That said, Cece can no longer be a TA under you. I don’t want the drama. I know the two of you have a real thing and you are both mature enough not to bring your relationship into the classroom. It’s the way it looks and it reflects on me. I want to run a tight, clean ship. No drama. No gossip. Let’s all commit to doing what we are all here to do. What the two of you do when you’re not here is up to you. I trust you both to handle this like the professionals you are.”

“I’m fine with that,” I said.

“Me too,” Cece said.

But I could see the concern in her eyes. She needed the TA job, and once again, she was getting punished.

“Felix, I appreciate all of that but Cece needs a TA position,” I said. “If you don’t want us working together, fine. I’ll quit. Hire someone else and let her keep the job.”

“Relax,” he said. “I know that. She’ll be my TA.”

“Really?” I asked.

He nodded. “I already did the paperwork.”

Tears of relief welled in her eyes. “Thank you.”

Felix gave her a playful grin. “But don’t fall in love with me, okay? I don’t have many friends and I don’t want this brute trying to kill me out of jealousy.”

We all laughed.

“I will do my best,” Cece said with a grin.

“Felix, you might want to close your eyes, because I’m going to kiss my girlfriend.”

Felix held up a hand. “You do that. Let’s meet at The Library tonight. We have a lot to celebrate.”

“We’ll be there,” I said. “Now, get out. I’m locking the door and I don’t want to hear shit about noises that might come from my office when the door is closed.”

Felix groaned. “I’m not hearing that, I’m not hearing that.”

“What you don’t know can’t hurt you,” I told him and gently pushed him out the door.

“We should probably get you a radio in here. Turn on music.”

I laughed. “So it’s more romantic? Felix, I like the way you think.”

He snorted. “To drown out the noise, moron.”

I winked. “I’ll have one in here tomorrow.”

I locked the door behind Felix and turned to Cece, who was still standing by the shelf with that damn plant. Her cheeks were flushed, and she was biting her lip like she was trying not to laugh. I didn’t care. I wanted her. Now.