Page 40 of Facing the Line

Staring at the pizza on her plate, she glances at me through her lashes. “Yeah? It fits okay?”

“Fits okay? Is it a dress?”

“No, but—I’m worried people won’t think I’m smart enough or something for that major.”

I take her beer out of her fingers and set it on the floor, then shift to hold both her hands and face her on the couch.

“Were you smart enough to do well in your Intro to Computer Science class this semester?” I ask, voice serious.

“Yes, but?—”

“And do you like it?”

She gulps. “Yes, I do.”

“Is it something you wouldn’t mind doing as a job?”

“I think it could be a fun challenge.”

“That’s it, then.” I squeeze her fingers. “It sounds like it’s a great fit.”

I almost lose my balance when she throws her arms around my neck in a tight hug. “You always know the right thing to say, Jonas. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” I pat her back and try not to dwell on how much I’m going to miss her over the summer.

We’ll text, I’m sure. That will have to be enough. And it’s probably best if I don’t see her for a few months. Maybe then I can remember she’s Hunter’s sister and not someone I should be hugging on the couch when he’s not home.

Chapter

Eighteen

May 2023

HADLEY

Mom: Computer Science, really?

Hadley: What’s wrong with it?

Mom: It just sounds so nerdy!

Hadley: Thanks for the unwavering support.

Elementary education is not for me, but damn, I will miss my advisor. Dr. Dwyer looks like she belongs in a kindergarten classroom but accidentally wandered into academia. With her tie-dye maxi skirts and Birkenstocks I suspect she’s been wearing since they were in style the first time around, shegives off a crayons and glue sticks vibe. She’s organized and competent, though, and does not care what anyone thinks.

Case in point: her office. I knock on the door and her warm voice welcomes me in. The first time I was here, I thought maybe her wolf decor was a joke or an ironic statement. But as I’ve gotten to know her, it’s obvious she just likes wolves.

An oil portrait of a wolf howling at the moon covers one wall. Wolf knickknacks litter her desk. The overstuffed sofa squashed in a corner has a fleecy wolf blanket draped over one threadbare arm, and the throw pillow features—surprise—another majestic wolf.

Dr. Dwyer glances up as I enter and her unlined face beams. Gray streaks through her brown hair, but her complexion is flawless, and I can’t get a read on how old she is. Fifties, I guess?

“Hadley! How nice to see you.” She comes around her desk and sits in a chair facing the loveseat and gestures at it. “Have a seat. Tell me all about your investigative semester.”

The wolf throw pillow and blanket are as comfy as they look. As I sit and cross my legs, I pet the blanket. If I had any other advisor, I’m not sure I would have been able to take a random assortment of classes and see what I liked. But months ago, Dr. Dwyer nodded her head as I explained education wasn’t a good fit, and I wanted to explore my options and see what was. In fact, she loved the idea. Referred to it as my “academic walkabout” and helped me get everything scheduled, though it was a lot of different departments to navigate.

Fingering the wolf pendant at her neck, she trains her bright green eyes on me, and I clear my throat.

“I think you’ll be pleased. I learned some things about myself.”

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