Page 45 of Teach Me How

I settle between her legs, guiding those soft thighs over my shoulders.

She threads her fingers through my hair. “What’s your plan now, Mr. Thomas?”

I kiss the side of her thigh, giving her a little nip for good measure. “Now, I get to return the favor.”

29.

Reese

Fall on campus is a beautiful thing.

The grounds are flush with every variety of shrub and tree. The color display is spectacular. Orange, gold, and red.

I could get used to seeing this every day. My heels click on the limestone stairs as I pick my way down to the sidewalk. It’s warm for a fall day, you can practically smell the sunshine.

I smooth my hand over my pencil skirt, relishing the way the soft breeze plays against my red, satin blouse.

Red, because that’s our school’s colors.

I should be a shoo-in for the job. An alumni of the college, of the Community Planning program, it’s a no-brainer. Add to that, one committee member on the panel was an old professor of mine.

I glance around. It’s like a full circle. This campus was my home for six years—I’d gladly devote my life to making the university a better place. Not that it needs me, it’s pretty exceptional already.

But still, I’m excited about the job. The more they talked about it, the more I wanted it. I need a challenge. This is the fresh start I was hoping for, and it has nothing to do with a man. I’m doing this all on my own. A certain charming farm boy flashes before my vision, causing my step to falter.

That’s not an ache in my chest, it’s growing pains. I’m a big girl, I can fucking handle it.

“Reese.”

I turn back, spotting an old friend hurrying across the lawn to catch up to me. Hallie. She lived on my floor freshman and sophomore year. We were in the same bible study. I listened to her tearfully work through her breakups. At the time, I was blindly in love with Jonah, so I didn’t understand all the flavors of heartache just yet.

She stops in front of me, auburn hair shining in the sun. I could have been a better friend, but I was too caught up in my own things. Regret flickers through me, but then I remember that she was one of the friends who ghosted me after Jonah and I broke up.

I still have the unanswered texts on my phone.

She reaches out and briskly runs a hand up and down my arm. “I thought that was you! I heard you were interviewing with the planning board today.”

Hallie works in the environmental department, which would be adjacent to my department. I tilt my head, wondering if I could work with her after everything. Fuck it, if I get that job, I’ll invite her out to coffee, and we can be best buds.

She pulls her hand back, noting something in my eyes. My poker face has always been pretty shit.

“Hey, I’m sorry I never texted you back. I’ve been so busy.”

“No worries, Hallie.”

I’m lying. Turns out, I’m not that magnanimous. My spiteful heart is holding a grudge.

Her gaze flicks across my face and she worries her lower lip. “I never got to talk to you after everything.”

Everything. The breakup of the decade? Jonah and I were so public that the worship team called me Mrs. Craig.

I try to keep my face neutral. “Oh. Yeah. I moved out to Clark, so I would have been hard to find.”

But she could have answered my texts.

“I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you.”

I tilt my head slightly. There’s a hint of reproof in her words. “Did Jonah ever say anything about it?”

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