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News about the breakup of the king and queen of campus swirled through every building. Even the faculty were talking about over their cups of coffee and stacks of midterm papers in need of grading.
I tried to keep away from it, to ignore the whispers and hushed conversation surrounding Whitney, but the chancellor and senior faculty who’d known her since her freshman year were gossiping the most about it, the vast majority of them showing great concern over the whole ordeal.
“Her parents are major benefactors of the college,” someone had said while I eavesdropped in the corner of the faculty lounge. “So are Christian Brockford’s parents. I hope this doesn’t cause issues at the fundraiser this spring.”
I’d simply looked down in my coffee and tried in vain to wrap my head around the idea that a breakup between two students could cause such a ripple effect across the university as a whole.
But this was Gatlington.
And now, on Monday, I remained in my office looking out the window as the last of the students who were heading home for Thanksgiving left campus in a slow but steady stream of suitcases, everyone bundled against the cold. Most had left over the weekend, but the campus had been alight with parties, so much so that I could hear the music from my own house.
I wasn’t sure what to do with this much free time. I’d been meticulous in how I planned out the two semesters’ worth of classes I’d be teaching this year, so I didn’t have any prep or research to do. I was just... here. Seemingly alone, too. Only a handful of student and faculty would be staying on campus for the holiday, from what I knew.
And that included me and Whitney.
I packed up my briefcase and grabbed a few books from the shelves along the wall in my stuffy office and left, closing the door behind me. Hollis Hall was emptier than I’d ever seen it before, and my footsteps echoed against the stone walls as I walked absently toward the entrance.
“Professor Ellis!”
I turned to Jessica Lowry’s voice. “Miss Lowry, I didn’t think you’d be staying behind this week.”
“Oh, I’m not. My flight to Jersey was delayed, but my dad is on his way to pick me up instead. He’ll be here any minute now.” She clutched a to-go cup of coffee in one hand and the handle of a rolling suitcase in the other. “I was just saying bye to everyone. So bye to you as well!” She beamed up at me, her coppery red hair stuffed beneath a light blue beanie.
“I hope you enjoy your break.”
“I will if I did well on my exams...” She looked up at me expectantly, blinking like an owl.
I had Jessica in one of my classes, and we both knew she’d aced her exam. She and Whitney would be a force to be reckoned with if they ever ended up working together after graduation. “I don’t think I even need to tell you how well you did.” I arched my brow at her, and she gave me a smug smile and a little wave of her coffee cup in reply.
“Oh, well. I guess you’re right.” She rocked on her heels. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure...”
“Is it weird being so close in age with some of your graduate students?”
“No, I don’t think so.” I wondered where she was going with this, and based on the glint of mischief in her eyes, I had a feeling it might have something to do with Whitney.
“I’m only asking since you’ll be here by yourself, mostly. Some of the graduate students stay over break. Oh, Whitney is staying. Did you know that?” Her eyes twinkled.
I had it in mind to ask her bluntly what the hell she was trying to do but gave her a wry, knowing smile instead. “I’m well aware.”
“Good. I’m worried she’ll be lonely here by herself. I did invite her to come to Jersey with me.”
“I’ll... do what I can—”
“Great!” She let go of her suitcase and reached into the pocket of her jacket to grab her phone. “My dad’s here. I’ll see you in a week, Professor.” She gave me a wink and took off down the hall, the wheels of her suitcase thumping on the uneven stone.
I ran my fingers through my hair, cursing under my breath as I looked around and shrugged on the jacket I’d been clutching in my fist during the short conversation. Spend time with Whitney so she doesn’t get lonely? I doubted Whitney ever got lonely, not when she had so much going on in her brain at any given time.
I walked out of Hollis Hall in time to see Jessica sliding into the passenger seat of a dark green station wagon. She saw me and gave me another spirited wave before her father, I assumed, motioned for her to close the door. I didn’t blame him in the slightest. There was a bitter chill to the air today that sank deep into my bones as I walked back to my cottage.
I walked inside and into the kitchen, sighing heavily as I opened the fridge. Empty, of course. I almost always ate my meals in the commons, which wouldn’t be open during the break.
With another long, drawn-out sigh, I decided to cut my losses and do some real grocery shopping for the first time since I moved onto campus.
BEING A SINGLE MAN in my thirties, I didn’t need much. It wasn’t like I was cooking for a family or stashed piles of snacks in every cabinet. I also didn’t need to spend as much time as I did walking slowly through the grocery store in downtown Gatlington, which was within walking distance of campus.
“This all?” the meat counter employee asked as he wrapped up the steaks I’d just ordered.
