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How strange. I was certain this was the correct school.
“Visiting professor, from Oxford?” I inquire.
“Hmm, let me check,” she says, tapping away on a tablet. After minutes and seemingly no results, she looks up and shakes her head before saying, “There’s no record of a professor under that name.”
She flips the screen over, and the name is spelled right, but there are no results with the Eastwood name.
“Thanks,” I say, rapping on the desk before stalking off.
How could I get this wrong? I call my uncle before walking the next few blocks to the Bazel Hotel. The call goes straight to voicemail.
The hotel is of no help either, unable to confirm the name of a guest for privacy and security reasons.
Calls from my father and not being able to reach my uncle. Ava and Asher not speaking to me.
My whole world has turned inside out, with no hope of remedying it.
I glance at the time and note that Ava must be finished with her television appearance by now and will soon be on her way to her book signing.I can’t sit here in this office, waiting for her to come to me, when I made it clear that I did not want her.
I lied.
I was scared of risking my friendship with Asher, but maybe you have to make sacrifices sometimes. Finding someone you love and who accepts you, and who feels the same way about you, is rare in this world. Ava and I owe it to ourselves to see where this goes.
I am an idiot, and I have to get her back. Damn the consequences. Damn the stares from others at our ages. People can judge and snicker all they want. At least Ava and I would be happy. Now, if I could only convince her to forgive me. I’ll get on my knees every day if I have to.
What’s the worst that could happen if I showed up? I certainly don’t want to embarrass Ava on an important day for her, but I also can’t remain in the office, pacing back and forth and not taking action.
Before I can change my mind, I grab my coat and begin heading to the elevators.
“Half day?” Kamaya questions as I pass her desk. As our cybertech expert, she’s usually found at the bank of computers my office retains, overseeing everyone’s gadgets while they’re out on assignments.
“Yeah, sort of,” I say.
Kamaya raises a brow, and nervous energy is the only explanation for my loquaciousness.
“I’m going to meet Ava and Maxat the McLeod and Smith bookstore. I can’t stand this any longer,” I say. Admitting my feeling aloud already makes me feel better, though it’s strange to be so vulnerable with anyone, especially an employee. It’s not like I’ve been my normal self lately. Anyone who’s been around me could see that.
“Good,” Kamaya says.
“That’s it? Good? No trying to tell me this is probably a bad idea and to let Ava go.”
Kamaya shakes her head, a small smile spreading across her face. “I’ll deny it if you tell anyone I said this, but since it’s only us here: I think you’re doing a brave thing. Telling someone how you feel is…scary. Trust me. I know.”
Her eyes leave mine for a moment, and I can tell her words come from a place of experience, but it’s clearly not something she’s willing to elaborate on.
“Don’t worry. No one will ever know that you and I are secretly saps,” I say.
Kamaya laughs. “Why are you still standing here? Go get your girl!”
I begin heading towards the bank of elevators, then stop, turning back. “Thanks, Kamaya.”
She waves me off. “I can’t stand to see you mope around here anymore.”
I laugh at her words as I press the button down several times, as if willing the elevator to arrive to my floor faster.
I decide to take the last SUV available for TSS and make my way over to East 14th. I’m hoping that traffic won’t delay me, and I’ll get there in time to speak to Ava.
During the drive, I think about what I’ll say, but everything I’ve rehearsed sounds cheesy and not enough to get her to listen to me.
