Page 33 of Reluctant Chemistry

He took her hands, let them drop again. Something was definitely up. “What’s going on?”

“May I have a drink? Water’s fine.”

Luka opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of sparkling water. He poured two glasses and added a slice of lime to each. “Shall we go outside?”

She took the offered drink and sat at the kitchen table.

Guess not.

“I know…about your new job.”

He took the chair opposite and sipped his drink. “At the high school? Who told you?”

“Dad. He’s on the board of trustees.” No eye contact on her part. Her father being on the school’s board was news to Luka. But why would that upset her?

“I’ve been meaning to tell you, but it’s been crazy busy this week. I said no initially but reconsidered over the weekend. And I didn’t have your number until yesterday, so—”

“Luka. Stop!” CeCe’s hands flew up to emphasize her point. In the short time they’d spent together, he’d never once heard her raise her voice, never seen her angry.

He leaned back in his chair and watched her grapple with her thoughts. She picked up her glass, took a sip, put it back down.

“I dropped out of school last year—partway through August—I’m not sure exactly when, and I’ve been working at the library since September.” She traced a finger around the lip of her glass. “But as I’ve said before, it’s not my dream. I planned to study business management once I left school, but I’ve thought a lot about it lately and now, I want to go to Otago to study science.”

At first, he thought she was asking him to tutor her, but when she lifted her gaze, a large knot formed in his gut.

“I’m going back to school next week to repeat my senior year so I can graduate. When Dad told me you were the new chemistry teacher, I pleaded with him to let me go to boarding school instead. But he wouldn’t hear of it. So, unless he changes his mind over the next few days, I’m stuck at Tulloch Point High.”

Luka raked his fingers through his hair as the meaning of her words sank in. CeCe was now not only his lover but his pupil as well. He released a sigh. “So that’s what you wanted to talk to me about?”

“Yes. But I’ve had time to think it over, and I don’t see why anything needs to change between—”

“Shit, CeCe, there’s nothing tothinkabout. We can’t see each other if I’m your teacher. That’s a line I am not prepared to cross, and besides, what about the people who already know? Your co-workers at the library, your friend Anna?”

“Why not?”

“I’ve told you why.” Luka stood and paced the room. “You can’t just stroll into my classroom and expect me to teach you damn chemistry by day and then have sex with you at night like it’s the most natural thing in the world.” He paused for a breath. “Why didn’t you tell me you were returning to school?”

She looked down. Picked at her nails. “It didn’t seem important.”

“Yeah, well, it is now. We have one chance here to do the right thing, do you understand? If I could go back and turn down the job offer, I would, but I’ve given my word.”

CeCe stared up at him, her eyes wide. “And your word means more to you than us?”

“It’s not that simple, is it? And if you don’t understand that, you’re not as mature as I thought.”

She held his gaze, but the words Luka expected never came. He needed her out of his space before he weakened and ended up consoling her the best way he knew how: naked on his bed. “Look, I know we agreed this was just a fling, but let’s take a break until Easter, then we’ll work something out.”

Frown lines tracked across her forehead and for a moment, he thought she’d agree. It wouldn’t be easy, but they could make it work.

“No.” Her voice remained even. “What’s the point?”

“The point is,” he countered, “nothing’s black and white here.”

“Maybe, but you’re going home after Easter, back to your city life. And next year, I’ll be at uni, hundreds of miles away. Long-distance flings don’t tend to work, do they?” CeCe stood and picked up her handbag from the kitchen counter. “Thanks though. It was nice while it lasted.” A sad smile accompanied her goodbye. “Guess I’ll see you at school unless Dad changes his mind by Monday.”

She stepped back and opened the door, leaving it ajar as she moved outside, beyond reach.

The wind slammed the door shut, and Luka stood in stunned disbelief, her words ‘nice while it lasted’ ringing in his ears. Panic surged in his chest. If anyone had asked him a few days ago about his relationship with CeCe Dobson, he’d have called it a summer fling without callous intent. But now?

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