Page 14 of Valentine's Kisses
“Have a seat, Michaels. I’ll be with you in a moment.” He barely gives me a glance before he turns back to his paper.
Finally, a few moments later, he puts his pen down and sits back in his chair. He places his hands over his significant paunch, and I try not to blanch as the buttons of his suit jacket strain. He raises one bushy eyebrow and simply states in a deep, annoyed voice, “Get on with it, then. What’s up?” He begged me to come here for the press the school would get, but now that I’ve taken the gig, I guess I’m just another teacher with a problem. He doesn’t seem like the type to be sympathetic to my plight.
I place my hands together and lean forward. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to tender my resignation, Dean Hoffer, effective immediately.”
He merely raises the same eyebrow again and shoves his glass up his bulbous nose. “Really? What made this come about? A few months ago, you were so gung-ho about this job that I had to lower your expectations a bit. Remind you that academia isn’t as exciting as flying down the ice to make goals. Hell, son, you even donated copious amounts to that sad excuse of a hockey team we have.”
A flash of anger shoots through me. “I donated the money so you would have decent equipment and would be able afford togive worthy players a shot at playing for this school. I wanted to share my love of hockey and you were more than happy to have me and my donation.”
He huffs in a long breath. “True, your presence here has brought us some recognition. At any rate, I thought you were excited about your tenure here. What happened?”
Tell the truth or lie through my teeth?
“I’ve fallen in love with one of my students.” I rush through the sentence and feel my cheeks redden with embarrassment.Guess I’m going with the truth then.
That statement finally catches the dean’s attention. He leans forward and then cackles.
“Giving it all up for love, huh, Michaels? I didn’t expect that.” He chuckles again and then pinches the bridge of his nose.
“Tell me, does this student return your “love” or is the school going to be facing a harassment lawsuit soon?” he asks in an amused voice. “You’re the lover boy of the NHL so that would be some rather interesting press. Not the kind we would want here though.”
I sit up straighter at that question. “I haven’t harassed her. I mean, she isn’t very happy with me right now, but I think she loves me too.” Her sweet face flashes through my mind.God, I hope she loves me back.Despite her words from the other day, I sense she does. I sense that she needs me just as much as I need her.
“Ha, pissed her off, did you?” he asks in a snarky voice. “That happens to all of us.” He sends me a knowing look again. “Are you sure you want to give up teaching for this great love? I’ll have to put in your file exactly why you’re leaving. You won’t get another teaching job with another university any time soon, or probably ever. While I know you have loads of money to fall back on, you seemed quite passionate about this job when I hired you. It didn’t take nearly that much convincing to get you here as Ithought it would. Can’t believe you’re ready to give up so soon over a woman.”
I think of all the time I spent in school after I retired. The graduate school classes to get my master’s degree and the long nights of studying, memorizing theories and works of art. Does any of that matter more than Gabrielle? I know in my gut it doesn’t. And if I’m going to convince her that she isn’t just any other woman to me, this is a step I need to take.
“I’m sure. She’s my forever. This is just a job,” I state firmly.
Dean Hoffer’s plump face shifts into a scowl, “Damn lovesick fools. Why do I always get the professors who fall in love with their students?” he mutters and shuffles some more papers on his desk. “I swear I’m going to start making it a requirement that all my staff be happily married before I hire them. Love,” he scoffs, “they all think they’re in love.”
He finally looks back up at me again and waves his hand towards me. “Alright, you’ve officially resigned. Go back to your office and clean it out. And don’t expect any recommendations on my part. Hope your young lady is worth it. And, for god’s sake, if it doesn’t work out, don’t let her sue us.”
With that, I’m summarily dismissed.
I walk back to my office with a lighter heart. My plan is in motion. The dean asked me if my girl is worth it. To me, she’s worth everything.
Chapter Sixteen
A Valentine’s Day Invite…
Valentine’s Day comes once a year, so why does it feel like it’s the longest damn day of the year? -Gabrielle
Gabrielle
I wake slowly, feeling the pain in my heart eat at me again.God, this hurts.No one ever told me that getting your heart broken physically hurts.
“Time to get up, Sleeping Beauty. I have a delivery for you.” Hanna’s singsong voice is more than mildly annoying to wake up to. She stands over me, looking down at me with a broad smile and a know-it-all look in her eyes.
I sling my arm over my eyes. “God, why are you so smiley this morning? Where is your usualI hate morningsface?”
She throws back her head and laughs. “I was instructed to give you something on the morning of Valentine’s Day so I’m here to be the messenger. I think you’ll like what I have inside this letter.”
My stomach roils with nerves when I see the scrawled handwriting on the outside. It’s obviously from Flynn.
I glance up at Hanna again, but don’t reach for the letter. “I thought we agreed not to talk about he-who-shall-not-be-namedand especially that the words Valentine’s Day were never to be spoken within the confines of this room.”
She looks back at me, with sympathy clear in her dark eyes. “He really loves you, Gabrielle. I talked to him a bit. You should give him a chance.” She gives a dry laugh. “I didn’t think the love like he has for you existed. I thought it was only in movies and books, but when that man talks about you, his whole face lights up. He truly cares about you. Read the letter, and then decide if you should give him a chance.” She chews on her lower lip. “If nothing else, do it for me. I need to know if this true love shit really can happen.”
