AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Good. She deserves that. This school needs to nurture and support minds like hers. That’s our job. It’s our responsibility.” I nod in determination.
Just then, I hear my phone beep with a text notification.
Unknown: Dr. Cooper, this is Harley Lawrence from your neurology class. May I get a moment of your time?
So much for avoiding contact.
Me: No problem. Why don’t you meet me in my office in 5 minutes.
Unknown: Thank you. I’ll see you then.
I say my goodbyes to Liz and make my way up to my office. A few minutes later, Harley arrives at the door. I tell her to close it. She hesitates for a moment, but eventually does close the door.
She sits in one of the chairs in front of my desk. “Dr. Cooper, there’s an obvious elephant in the room. I’d really like to deal with it head-on. I want to talk to you about the other night.”
Wow. She’s very mature. I imagine most women her age would play the avoidance game. I expected her to.
I smile at her. “In light of everything, I feel like you should call me Brody.”
“I’d rather not.”
What was I thinking? I shake my head. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Dr. Cooper it is.”
“Look, I did something completely out of my comfort zone the other night, and now I’m clearly being punished for it. Please know that it was very uncharacteristic of me. I’m mortified. I hope you understand that I had no clue who you were or that you were going to be my professor.”
“Of course, you didn’t. Just as I didn’t know that you were going to be my student.”
She nods her head. “Yes. I’m glad we understand each other. I’m going to ask for a transfer to Dr. Waters’ neuro class. In light of the circumstances, I think that makes the most sense. I would never want to be accused of anything inappropriate. I imagine you feel the same?”
I think for a moment about what Liz said. About the brilliant mind sitting in front of me and our responsibility to nurture someone like her. “Look Har…Ms. Lawrence. I understand why you feel like a class transfer is appropriate. In all honesty, it probably is the best course of action. However, not to sound like a pompous ass, but you do know that I’m considered one of the leading spinal surgeons in this country?”
She nods.
“I’ve come to learn that you have a very unique mind for medicine, Ms. Lawrence. I would hate for what happened the other night to deprive you of the opportunity to learn from me, and me of the opportunity to help impart my expertise to a special student like yourself.” I can see her deep in thought. “Besides, I’ve heard that Dr. Waters is a snooze fest, and I’m still hoping you’ll consider switching back to neurosurgery.”
She smiles at that. God that smile is a thing of pure beauty. Stop it.
She considers my words for a few moments. “Well, Dr. Cooper, do you think we can maintain an appropriate student-teacher relationship, and put this past weekend behind us?”
I nod. “I can if you can.”
“Are you’re comfortable keeping the events of this past weekend just between the two of us?”
I nod again. “I am if you are.”
“Okay then. I’ll stay in your class as your student, andonlyyour student. Thank you for your time. I really appreciate it.”
She puts out her hand for me to shake it. When I do, there’s something electric that runs through me the moment we touch. I feel it in my whole body. I can tell in her face that she feels it too. I quickly pull my hand away, breaking our touch.
I mumble out, “See you in class tomorrow, Ms. Lawrence.”
“I’ll see you then Dr. Cooper.” There’s some part of me that knows that I may have just committed the biggest mistake of my life, but I simply couldn’t help myself.
* * *
HARLEY
“Hey Meg. Sorry I’m late for lunch. I was meeting with a professor.”
