Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 358(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 358(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
What the heck was he doing here?
I noted that Marlon’s usually wild dark mane was slicked into some semblance of control, and that his white oxford shirt had those telltale “straight from the packaging” creases. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he’d primped. For…me?
Oh, no.
I wrapped up my class, reminding the students of an upcoming quiz. I reached for the water bottle I’d propped on the podium, anticipating that the usual few students would stop by to ask a question or two. I usually loved discussing the finer points of a lecture, but Marlon’s presence was distracting in all the wrong ways. I just hoped he’d keep things professional and not mention—
“Sir Hardwick is extraordinarily happy to see you,” Marlon purred, strolling the aisle toward me as the last student filed out of the hall.
“Not acceptable,” I hissed.
“Whyever not, my petal?”
I gathered my belongings and shoved them into my bag, swatting his hand when he fingered the stitching on my collar. I ripped the Velcro fastening off and whispered, “What are you doing? We’re at work.”
“You’re right to chastise me. I beg your pardon.” He nodded gravely. “I haven’t slept well for days. We agreed to reevaluate our association after a short recess, and it’s been a few weeks now. That’s surely enough time for us both to realize that at the very least, we should establish an extracurricular affairs calendar.”
“No.”
“I promise to make it worth your while. I purchased pirate cosplay garb to spice up the night. The shirt alone will most certainly drive you wild,” he assured me. “It’s frilled and low-cut.”
That did sound sexy, but…no.
“Marlon…”
“I implore of thee. I’m dangerously smitten at the mere sight of you. However, this isn’t the place for a saucy rendezvous. Meet me at my house, my buttercup, and—”
“No. We’ve had this conversation, and I’m not changing my mind.” I slung my bag over my shoulder and strode purposefully toward the exit. “Good night.”
Marlon was a good three inches shorter than me. He broke into a combination run and skip to catch up to me on the steps outside of the Physics building. “Holden. Wait!”
I pointed my key fob at my Honda and rounded on him under a lamppost in the parking lot. “Good night,” I repeated.
He followed me to the driver’s side, visibly deflated. His shoulders slumped and he suddenly lost two inches of height as he curled around himself like a turtle without a shell.
“Okay, fine. It pains me greatly, but I have no choice but to accept your decision.”
I hesitated for a beat before offering a hasty smile. “It’s better that way, Marlon. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get to rehearsal.”
“A moment, please.” He raked his hand through his shellacked hair, sending the middle section into vertical like an accidental mohawk. “This feels a tad awkward now, but…I was hoping you’d chair the Saturn Returns back-to-school event in September with me again. This event marks the anniversary of our intimate acquaintance, so I’ll understand if you’re reticent to—”
“I’d be honored.”
Marlon widened his eyes comically as he zoomed his glasses in and out, cartoon-style. “Really?”
“Yes. I always look forward to the Saturn Returns event.” I opened the car door and set my bag on the floor behind the driver’s seat, cautiously adding, “We can be friends, you know.”
“I’d like that.” He nodded thoughtfully. “May I ask you a sensitive question?”
“Sure.”
“Do you have a new lover?”
A sudden inferno consumed me. My cheeks were blazing hot.
“Well, I…uh…”
Marlon sighed. “I see. It must be serious.”
“No, it’s…no. I mean…” Some days I wished I was a good liar. I wasn’t, though. I was terrible at the art of strategic subterfuge. “It’s…um, no. I don’t know.”
He grinned, leaning in to peck my cheek. “Then there’s still hope for me. Good evening, Holden.”
And just like that, he was gone.
I stared at the streetlamp’s shadow on the pavement and furrowed my brow. Marlon’s tenacity made him a compelling educator but an exasperating ex-lover.
I didn’t appreciate being interrogated about my love life. It was amazing, thank you very much. But it was private. No one knew about Ezra. Not even Tommy.
That felt rather…claustrophobic. Like I was the one in the closet. Not so long ago, the idea alone would have given me a good old-fashioned panic attack. The kind that required sedatives and breathing lessons.
I’d been here before, and I knew myself well. I wouldn’t be able to keep this up for long.
I would never out him, but I should probably warn Ezra that I was a secret basket case with a finite fuse, I mused as I sat behind the wheel. I pulled a water bottle from my bag and took a sip, then reached into the back seat and grabbed the first chapeau I found…a bowler hat, circa the turn of the last century.