Page 93 of His to Teach
All of the air seems to go out of the room, a weird rushing sound filling my ears. “What?”
“He didn’t quit,” Kim says. “He went on leave.”
“Same fucking difference,” Kevin mutters. “The point is that we’re fucked.”
I can barely wrap my mind around what they’re saying. Nate went on leave? Why in the hell would he do that?
The thought hits me so hard my knees go weak. What if someone found out about us? What if the rumors Mason mentioned had reached the wrong ears? What if this leave wasn’t voluntary?
I let my eyes scan the group, arguing about what’s going to happen to our internships now. I don’t detect any sideways glances or curiosity from any of them. If there are rumors about me and Nate, it doesn’t look like they’ve gotten back to my classmates yet.
“I’m going to get drunk,” Kevin says. “You want to come with?”
“It’s nine a.m.,” I point out.
His scowl only grows. “Then I’ll get a head start.”
I can’t blame him for being so upset. This was a prized internship, a chance to work with a nationally best-selling author on research that will likely one day make it into one of his books. The other positions have long since been filled. I’m sure the administration will figure something out, particularly for the second-year students nearing graduation, but it’s hard to imagine finding a project as worthwhile or impressive as this one.
“A strong Bloody Mary sounds appropriate right now,” Kim says glumly. George agrees and they move to pack up their things, dejection heavy in the air.
“You coming?” he asks.
“Probably shouldn’t,” I tell him, my mind spinning. I have no idea what’s going on, but I need to talk to Nate. “Just getting over being sick, you know.”
I wish them all a hurried good luck, managing to walk calmly from the room. I make it around the corner before I take off running. If there’s a chance Nate is still on campus, I need to find him. Now.
NATE
I’m just packing up the last of my books when the door to my office bangs open.
I glance up, expecting to see Dr. Travers, who’s already left me three messages begging me to reconsider. But the curmudgeonly old professor is not who I see standing before me.
“Angel?”
“What’s going on?” Harper asks, her breathing labored. So labored that she bends over, clutching her knees as she tries to catch her breath.
“Hey.” I move towards her automatically, my desire to take care of her pulsing just as strongly as it always has. I help her into a chair in front of my desk and take the seat next to her. “Take it easy, angel. Tell me what’s wrong?”
She looks up at me with wide, worried eyes. “You tell me! Does everyone know?”
I’m sure I look as confused as I feel. “Does everyone know what?”
“About us!”
I cast a glance at the still open door then get up, checking the empty hall quickly before I shut it. It would be just my luck for someone to find out about us now, of all times.
I return to my seat, watching her carefully. She’s still breathing heavily, a pretty flush on her chest and cheeks. God, she’s so beautiful. Without thinking, I reach out to run a fingertip over her collarbone, a rush of satisfaction hitting me when her breath catches. I still affect her.
“Why do you think everyone knows?”
She shakes her head, her expression telling me that I’m being incredibly dense. “Because you got fired!”
A grin tugs at my lips. “No, I didn’t.”
“But I was just down in the classroom and the other students told me the research project has been cancelled. That you’re leaving.” She reaches out to clutch my hand but I can’t focus on how good her skin feels against mine, not with the panic I can see in her eyes. “What happened? Why are they making you take a leave?”
“That’s what you think?” I shake my head. “I try to make the big romantic gesture, and here you are, giving someone else the credit.” Confusion takes over her expression and I squeeze the hand still in mine. “I requested to go on leave this morning.”
