Page 43 of Prosecco with My Professor
I wave my hands. “You’ve done more than expected for a neighbor. Or a professor.” Again, the words feel like poor substitutes for what he is or, maybe, what he has the potential to be. Although, after nearly seeing me pee myself, he’s probably changed his mind.
I cast the thought aside as something I need to think about later. Santo steps into my room, and I almost think he’s going to touch me before I realize he’s reaching for his cat, the giant black ball of fluff curled up on my pillow.
With her gathered in his arms, he holds my gaze and tells me to get well. Tessa and I both watch as he leaves my apartment.
Tessa turns back to me and claps her hands. “Okay, shower.”
We step into my small bathroom, and I glimpse myself in the mirror. “Oh no,” I moan. “This is what I look like?” My hair is a complete disaster, which is a real feat considering how thick it is. I have a bun that’s lost most of its mass and has flopped to one side. I look sickly, and with shock, I realize that I probably looked evenworsethan this at my peak.
If Santo is still attracted to me after this, perhaps his standards are even lower than mine.
21
Santo
With Tessahere to take care of Emma, I only had to cancel half a day of lectures. I spend the afternoon at the university trying desperately not to wonder how Emma is feeling and obsessively checking my phone for an update from either her or Tessa.
On my way home, I pick up a to-go order of minestrina soup from my favorite quick-service place and message Tessa on my way up the stairs.
She greets me at Emma’s open apartment door. “Emma’s asleep on the couch,” she whispers.
“I brought soup,” I whisper back and hold up the bag. Tessa waves me in and puts the soup in the fridge for later.
The apartment is very tidy—Emma’s bed has new sheets, and it smells like cleaning supplies and fresh air.
On the couch, Emma sits slumped over, mouth ajar, and the sound of heavy breathing reverberates in the space. A laptop sits on the low table, and a show is paused on screen.
I take a few steps over to the couch and carefully sweep a lock of gray hair out of Emma’s face and let the back of my fingers graze her forehead. She feels a lot cooler now, and she’s not huddled under a blanket anymore.
I remember Tessa is here, too, and stand, looking away from Emma. “Do you need anything?” I ask, straightening my jacket.
“I appreciate the soup. Emma’s kitchen is…” We both glance at the tiny space. “A tragedy,” she finally finishes. “But I suppose one dines out a lot when one is in Italy.”
“You are welcome to use my kitchen if you wish. I will bring a key by tomorrow morning before I go back to the university. Just mind my cat. She is…well, Emma can tell you about Zola.”
“I might take you up on that. Emma might like some homemade American comfort food when she gets hungrier.”
I nod and walk toward the door, letting Emma get on with her sleep and Tessa get on with her caretaking. Tessa follows a few steps behind.
“Santo?” she calls just before I close the door behind me.
I glance back. Her arms are crossed, and she’s watching me carefully. “If you think—” She cuts herself off as Emma shifts on the couch, and we both wait until she gets settled again and her breath evens out. Tessa takes two steps toward me. “I don’t know you, and some men like to take advantage of their position of power over women. If you hurt her, I will fly down here and meet with the dean myself, even if Emma won’t. Andthen, Jade will come, and my destruction of your career was mere child’s play compared to how well she will eviscerate you.”
Tessa might barely come up to my shoulder and has impeccable makeup, a cute upturned nose, and generous curves that I’m sure many men appreciate, but the fire in her gaze and the glint in her eyes tell me she might enjoy my destruction too.
“However,” she sniffs and tilts her chin up, looking down her nose at me. “If you realize how truly amazing my friend is, you’ll treat her right and give her exactly all the time, attention, and orgasms she deserves after a schmuck like Bruce.” She narrows her eyes. “Lots of orgasms.”
And with that last word echoing down the hallway, Tessa closes the door on my face.
Emma isout for two more days. On Thursday, she’s back at the university and looking like her normal self again. Though she does occasionally become the source of an inordinate amount of crinkling as she pops cough drops like candy.
After the lecture ends, she approaches the front, notebook and pen at the ready. “Professor Offredi? Can we talk about the makeup work I need to do?”
Together, we review the assignments she missed. Emma jots down notes and bites her lip once I’ve caught up to today. “When do you need me to have this done by?”
“Next Monday?” I suggest.
The skin under her incisor turns white from the pressure before Emma releases it and smiles. “Sure!”
