Page 73 of Until We Meet Again

I quickly glance at him as I lift my bottle to take a sip. "Me?"

"Of course you!" He laughs, his voice laced with amusement.

"I'd be honored, Cal."

A couple of hours have passed since we leftmy place to grab some celebratory drinks. Callum’s preferences differ from mine; he likes loudness, whereas I gravitate toward calmness. But tonight is about celebrating my baby brother and the fact that he’s getting everything he wants in life, so we’re somewhere that perfectly suits him.

"How's the job going?"

"Yeah, it's going well.I like it."

"Students giving you a hard time?" With a shake of my head, I lift a shot glass to my lips, feeling the burn of my third tequila as it slides down my throat. "Dating anyone?" I don't even have to say anything—not when the expression on my face is answering for me. "Okay, who is she?"

"We're not here to talk about her."

"Well, that's new."

"What?"

"You being all secretive about a woman. You like her, don't you?" A faint grunt escapes my lips as Tessa enters my mind, and I think about that beautiful smile that I'm not sure I can ever live without.

"It's complicated."

"Do you love her?"

I've never been in love, and maybe it's better that way—a little lonely perhaps, but better.

"No, Jesus, Callum, that's not what this is."

"So, what is it?" Running my hand over my face, I prepare to come clean to him.

"Well, for starters, she's my student."

His hand freezes mid-sip, and he sets his beer down before turning to look at me in what feels likeslow motion. "Please tell me that's a joke." I shake my head and down another shot of tequila. "I know you're still going through someshit, we all are, but sleeping with your student? What the hell are you thinking?"

"I met her before starting the job, took her out twice, and we just connected."

"Well, that's not as bad as you being a predator abusing his position of power."

"What the fuck? I'm not that guy. I would never be that guy."

"I know, I'm just playing. Fuck, I'm just shocked." He drains the last of his beer before placing it on the table in front of us, and I'm already wishing I hadn't told him about her. "How old is she?"

"Twenty-two, but you'd think she's older."

"She hot?"

"Nothing I say will ever be able toexplain how beautiful she is."

"Do you have a picture?"

"No." I shake my head. "Too risky."

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"Why the hell are you putting everything you've worked for at risk for someone you don't have feelings for?"Because I'm addicted to the way I feel when I'm with her. "Unless you do feel something, but as usual, you fight happiness."

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