Page 42 of Wish You Were Mine
“We only kissed on New Year’s Eve,” I said. “We’ve only had two class sessions since I found out. But after the initialoh-crapconversation, we haven’t interacted at all.”
I remembered the way she’d come in late this afternoon and then was the first to leave. She clearly didn’t want anything to do with me.
Which was…for the best.
Smart.
Prudent.
And yet…
Ian shook his head, still chuckling to himself. “I’m so glad I don’t have to worry about any of that anymore.”
“Yeah.” I rolled my eyes. “Lucky you.”
At that moment, Maddie walked into the room after coming back downstairs, her expression soft. “Why is Ian lucky?”
“Because I have you,” Ian said smoothly, opening his arms like the smug, lovesick fiancé he was.
“Pretty sure I’m the lucky one,” she said, plopping down beside him and kissing his cheek.
Ugh. This domesticated version of Ian was just so disgustingly…sweet.
I was so jealous.
“Anyway, just…don’t tell anyone, okay?” I let out a heavy sigh and scrubbed a hand through my hair. “I just got this job, and I’d really hate to get fired right when I’m getting started.”
The words hit harder than I meant them to. Because I wasn’t exaggerating. I’d dreamed of this position. Fought for it. And now, with the dean hinting I could be promoted to a research professorship next year—if my grant came through—the idea of losing everything because of one stupid, perfect kiss… Yeah, it made my stomach twist.
“What are we not telling anyone?” Maddie asked, looking between Ian and me with a confused expression.
“Oh, just a little romantic mishap with a girl he didn’t realize was a student,” Ian said with a chuckle. “You know, fun stuff like that.”
“Wait.” Maddie’s blue eyes lit up. “You kissed a student?”
“Yes.” I groaned, dropping my head into my hands. “And no, I didn’t know she was a student at the time.”
“I’ll tell you about it later,” Ian said, shooting Maddie a grin, thankfully saving me from having to relive the story again. “She’s actually Theo’s little sister.”
“Oh, I love Theo,” Maddie said, smiling warmly.
Ian’s jaw ticked as he looked down at her. “Well, he was still the inferior option.”
“Relax.” Maddie laughed and smacked his arm. “I’m just teasing.”
Their banter made me smile, but the mention of Theo brought a sudden realization slamming into me.
Crap.
I’d completely forgotten about my conversation with Theo at The Garden a couple of weeks ago. The one where we’d floated the idea of a double date at the gymnastics meet this Saturday.
Yeah…that suddenly felt like aterribleidea.
I pulled out my phone and fired off a quick text.
Me: Hey man, I totally spaced. I haven’t found a date for Saturday after all. Gonna have to cancel our double date.
I hesitated, then added:
