My wife? I don’t have a wife. What in the bloody hell is Tillie on about? I told her I wasn’t married. I’ve never lied to her. Every single time I try to call, it goes straight to voicemail. So, that’s it. She’s done with me. I don’t even know her last name and aside from wandering campus asking people if they know Tillie, I’m not sure how I’m going to find her.

I pull out my phone and call Brett. I need perspective, and if anyone can help me figure out how to win her back, it’s him.

He answers on the second ring. “Jude, what’s up?”

“I lost her.”

“Lost who?”

“Tillie.”

He grunts and sighs. “What are you talking about, man? Didn’t she run away from you after your one-night-stand? You’re not supposed to go looking for them. That defeats the purpose.”

“She’s more than that. She’s…Tillie is special.” I drag a hand through my hair and let out a frustrated groan. “Fuck. She thinks I’m her professor. And for some reason, she thinks I’m married.”

“Wait, this girl is in the class you’re working with?”

“Looks like it.”

“Shit. That must’ve been a surprise.”

“For both of us. She hasn’t been back since Monday and I’m pretty sure she’s blocked my number.”

“Wow. You really pissed her off.”

“So, find her and tell her the truth. It’s just a misunderstanding.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “If it was that easy, don’t you think I’d have already done that?”

“Okay, what’s stopping you, then?”

“I don’t even know her last name. How am I supposed to find her?”

He sighs. “Do I really have to hold your hand and explain how computers work?”

“What?”

“Don’t you have access to a class list? You’re the guest lecturer for two weeks. I’m pretty sure you can ask for a list of names.”

Fucking hell. I am an absolute idiot. “You’re right.”

“So, look her up and go get her. I like you better when you’re happy. It makes my job easier.”

I hang up the phone and fire off an email to Professor Monroe asking for a class list. The man was supposed to be in class during my lectures, but his secretary told me he had to take unexpected medical leave and wasn’t sure when he’d be back. I can only hope he’ll at least be checking his emails.

Hours go by without word from him, and I’ve paced my house enough times I’m pretty sure I could do it blindfolded and not hit anything. So, I pull on a heavy sweatshirt and pop my earbuds in my ears before heading outside for an evening run.

Muse is the soundtrack for tonight, and as the seductive bass lines drive my pace, I let my thoughts wander to Tillie. I have to find a way to get her back, to prove to her we’re meant to be together. I’ve never felt this way about anyone and I doubt I ever will again. She’s the woman I want to spend my life with.

I jog past a group of girls, all of them carrying boxes overflowing with Halloween decorations, a few with jack-o-lanterns. And one of them has the long dark waves and curves I dream of. One of them is Tillie.

Her eyes widen and the pumpkin she’s holding slips from her grasp, falling to the sidewalk with an ominous crack.

“Shit,” she says, bending down to collect the pieces of what was a pumpkin carved to look like a witch.

“Oh, Tillie, you dropped one.” A brunette wearing a Mi Alpha Alpha sweatshirt says, her expression clearly annoyed. Then she sizes me up. “And who is this?”

“Jude,” I offer as I kneel and pick up the top of the pumpkin, which had rolled to my feet.

“This is Professor Monroe.” Tillie’s words are sharp and unfriendly.

What? “I—” I begin, the sorority girl interrupts.

“Um, no he’s not. I don’t know what this guy told you, but this man is definitely not Professor Monroe. I was his TA last year, I should know.”

Tillie’s eyes widen. “You’re not the professor? Why were you teaching the class?”

“I’m a guest lecturer.”

Her mouth hangs open for a moment as she processes what I’ve said. “But…”

“Have you never seen the professor before?”

She shakes her head. “I just transferred to his class. I wasn’t…you never told me your last name. I just assumed when I saw you at the podium.”

“The university brought me in for two weeks. Your professor was called away for medical reasons.”

“His wife had a baby,” the brunette offers.

“I came after you,” I tell Tillie, wishing this other woman would leave us be.

“You were persistent.”

“Why wouldn’t you give me a chance to explain?”

Her cheeks go pink. “I thought you were a cheating bastard.”

“I told you…once I promise my heart to a woman—”

“She’ll have it forever,” she finishes.

“Oh, my God. This is the walk-of-shame guy?”

“Stacy,” Tillie admonishes.

“Sorry. But, girl, I can’t believe you left this guy on the market.”

“Stacy,” I say, turning up my charm. “Might I steal Tillie away for a bit?”

Stacy’s eyes widen and she glances to the mansion where the other girls are waiting. “No.”

I raise my brows. “Pardon?”

“No. She’s part of this sorority and she needs to help us set up for the haunted house. You want to see her, buy a ticket for tomorrow.”

Then she hooks her arm through Tillie’s and drags her away. Tillie glances over her shoulder and mouths, sorry, before she’s lost to me in a sea of sorority girls.

That’s fine. She needs to take care of her obligations. I’m secure in the knowledge that she doesn’t hate me anymore. I’m hers. Undeniably. And tomorrow night, I’ll make her mine.