Page 12 of Wet Paint

“Yeah,” I said knowingly. But I also didn’t care, not in this moment.

He pulled me closer to kiss me again. Slower this time. Like he wanted to memorize how it felt.

He looked at me for a second longer, like he wanted to say something else. Then, he let out a laugh with a shake of his head.

“What?” I asked, furrowing my brows gently.

“It’s nothing,” he said, scratching his left temple as he watched me. “You’re just so damn beautiful.”

My heart skipped a beat and almost stopped pumping. That came out of nowhere, but I loved hearing him say those words.

“Thank you,” I whispered, feeling my cheeks flush.

Silence filled the space between us again, then he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and stepped back, straightening his sweater.

“We should probably go,” he said.

I nodded, even though I didn’t move.

“You okay?”

“Yeah,” I said. “You?”

He gave a small nod. “Ask me again once we survive the night.”

I knew what he meant.

The second we’d get back to the table, Ruby and Lenny would start teasing us. They’ll know what we did. There was no reason to hide it.

Chapter 5

IVY

On Monday, I went to Will’s class not expecting anything.

I didn’t want to get my hopes up. Didn’t want to get jealous or mad if he didn’t give me attention. I would’ve understood. And because of that mentality, I didn’t second-guess our kiss on Saturday when he didn’t even look at me in class.

I couldn’t imagine how he must feel. He had a great responsibility. He was a professor, and being with a student wasn’t allowed. I got that, and I didn’t want to risk him getting fired, or me getting expelled.

Will seemed content. Happy. He taught the way he always did, and didn’t seem distracted or confused. I was glad. It made staying composed much easier.”

Once class was dismissed, I packed up my notebook and walked down the few steps to head out the door, and when I looked over at him to give him a smile, he lifted his hand and said, “Ivy, a word, please.”

He sounded serious, and, suddenly, my body went numb.

Oh god…he’s going to tell me that it’s over.

Whatever we started is already over.

Fine.

That’s fine.

It’s for the better, anyway, right?

This is way too risky.

I swallowed and looked behind me as the last student left the room, closing the door behind them. And when I turned back around, Will was standing right there in front of me.

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