Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 136296 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 681(@200wpm)___ 545(@250wpm)___ 454(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136296 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 681(@200wpm)___ 545(@250wpm)___ 454(@300wpm)
“The class was good.” That part isn’t a lie. I learned a lot, but my decision-making after the class was over is another story. I motion her inside.
She pauses when she sees the basket sitting in the corner beside the coat closet. “Good grief, another basket?”
“Yup.”
“Garrett’s popcorn? Godiva chocolates? Wow. Gabriel’s really bringing his snack A game, isn’t he?”
“Seems that way.” It annoys the hell out of me that now, after I’ve handed him divorce papers, he wants to ply me with gifts. He’s not taking this seriously.
Sophia follows me into the living room and sits on the couch. I take the spot in my usual chair, pick up a throw pillow, and set it in my lap.
“You look antsy and guilty. What’s going on?”
I blow out a breath. “Maverick asked me to go for coffee after the class.”
She gives me a worried look. “He’s still your student.”
“I know, and before you lecture me about boundaries, he wanted to talk about his creative writing story and what happened to his sister when he was young. What was I supposed to do? Tell him no? He’s never opened up to anyone about it before—not until he wrote that piece for my class.”
She doesn’t jump on me. Not yet anyway. “That must have been a heavy conversation.”
“He blames himself for what happened.” Sophia has read the story and some of the news articles on the abduction. “I pushed too much, though, and he got upset and left.”
“What did you say that made him so upset?”
“I told him it wasn’t his fault that his sister went missing. That the only person to blame was the man who took her, and then I suggested he talk to someone other than me about it. He didn’t like that idea, and he left.” I put my hands over my face. “I should have shut up and listened.”
“I’m going to ask you a question, and I want you to keep in mind that I’m your best friend and I know your history with him—”
“All we did was talk. It was coffee in a public place. Professors have coffee with students all the time.”
Sophia takes another sip of her tea and sets it on the side table. “I don’t want to psychoanalyze you, but I do think we need to address the fact that you’re already defensive, and I didn’t even have a chance to ask the question.”
I give her a look. “I already know I shouldn’t have said yes to the coffee.”
“Which speaks volumes, don’t you think? What’s going on between the two of you? He’s stopped by to check on you, you went to his self-defense class, and then, despite knowing it was a bad idea, you went out for coffee with him.”
“To talk. He wrote that story for a reason. He needs someone he can talk to about this. I think it’s been eating at him for years.” I still sound defensive, but Sophia doesn’t call me on it.
“Considering your history with him, and your current role as his professor, do you think that person should be you?”
“Well, I did suggest someone else . . .” And then he bolted. “I didn’t want to shut him down. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. How do I handle this?”
“You need to tread very carefully here, Clover. This is a lot more than being a friend and a listening ear. You’re still in a position of power. And it sounds like he could probably use therapy, but he might not be in a place yet where he’s willing to consider that. Regardless, you two have a very layered history, and he’s still your student for a few more weeks.”
“I need to keep the lines with him clear.”
“And with yourself. Do whatever you need to to keep the boundaries in place—at least until he’s not your student anymore.”
Thirteen
Extra Credit
Maverick
The TV is on when I get home, which means there are probably people hanging out. I cross my fingers that it’s BJ passed out on the lounger, but instead, I find my sister and Kody. It’s not a surprise, but the position they’re in is irritating.
Kody is stretched out on the couch, feet hanging over the end. Lavender is straddling his hips, and his hands are on her ass.
“Whoa! This is supposed to be a safe space!” I bellow, causing them both to jump. “Why can’t you do that in your damn bedroom?”
“Oh shit.” Kody basically tosses Lavender to the floor, then sits up in a rush and grabs the closest pillow, putting it over his lap. “Hey. Sorry, man. We didn’t hear you come in.”
I ignore Kody and glare at my sister, who’s sitting on the ground, her face beet red. “You have a TV in your room. Why are you down here dry humping my best friend when you can do that behind a closed door? Like this whole thing isn’t already awkward enough!” I motion between the two of them.