Chapter 18
Edward’s next class was a lab the administration department talked him into. He agreed since he didn’t have anything more to do with his time. He had found Eva and she knew he was there. It didn’t go as he had hoped and he thought it better to let it lie for the time being. He would have his chance to make it right with her.
The lab room was much larger than his classroom. It was held in a seminar room that housed many more students. When he entered, he saw a few familiar faces from his class. Andy was perched in a chair up to the top, out of the way, in the I’ll stay out of the way because I have to be here section. He made his way up toward him, expecting the boy to get up and walk away before he had a chance to talk to him. Surprisingly, Andy never looked up until Edward stood in front of him and placed his hand on Andy’s desk.
“Andy, how are you feeling?”
Andy looked around, his head still down, then looked up at Edward. “Fine.”
“How badly did I hurt you yesterday?”
“You didn’t,” he mumbled. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Well, I am. And I wanted to apologize again. I didn’t see you at all. I guess I had my head in other places….”
“I said… don’t worry about it,” he snapped.
“I saw you struggle to get up, and when your friend helped you to the bench it looked like you….”
“Dude. It’s fine, okay? Give it a rest. It was all an act.”
Edward was puzzled. “An act? I don’t understand.”
“No. You wouldn’t understand, would you? Mr. Debonair, Mr. Good looking. I bet you never had a problem getting the girl.”
“What does that have to do with what happened… yesterday?” As Edward completed his question, it made sense. He lowered his head.
“It was an act. I’ve been trying to nail that girl for weeks. She is the sympathy type so I had to act vulnerable. She’s a tough cookie to crack.”
Something inside him wanted to pummel the guy for being a sleazebag, for wanting to be a player just to get a little from someone so innocent and sweet, but Edward used to be that sleazebag, until he met Eva.
“Well, sometimes if you just learn to be yourself, you’d be surprised at who notices.”
“Hey, man. I’m not into commitment. I just want a little piece of ass.”
Edward knew it was pointless to try to talk him out of it. “Well, I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Yeah, thanks. Too bad it didn’t work.”
Edward turned and walked back down to the front of the room, disgusted at himself. Andy was the epitome of himself in his college days and for years afterward. Was this how he perceived women all his life? Was this how he treated them? He didn’t feel he deserved someone like Eva.
Edward played the part of professor, teaching his class, monitoring the labs and filling in where he was needed. He didn’t try to find Eva again. He began to doubt himself as he contemplated his life and what he was doing with it.
He was a successful entrepreneur with his best friend from college. They had both made good money doing what they were good at and there he was, over two hours away from home pretending to be a college professor to get close to a woman he met in Paris. Was this really what he wanted? Was it what he deserved? Did he have a chance with her? It was the first time he had doubted himself.
He picked up his books and itinerary from his last class and left the seminar room. It was the end of the week and he needed to make a decision. Would he stay and continue the charade or would he give it all up and go back to what he knew? When he got back to his office, he set his things on his desk and plopped down in his chair. Just as his mind shifted into deep thought about Eva and the way she looked at him in the park, he heard a light knock on his door. He grimaced as he remembered his last encounter with Gracie.
“Who is it?”
“Hello?” The meek voice was barely audible.
He stood and opened his door expecting a student from his class. When his eyes were filled with Eva and her solemn eyes, his heart swelled. She was beautiful standing there, vulnerable and alone, her book bag slung over her shoulder, the strap across her chest. Her breasts were full and protruding out from each side of that lucky strap. Her dark blue oversized sweater hugging them effortlessly and layering over her long skirt that barely hid her feet. Her lips were full and pouty, her hair cascading across her shoulders, her eyes big and green. He wanted to touch her. He wanted to kiss her lips. He wanted to…. “Eddie? Is this a bad time? I can come back if you want me to.”
Edward snapped back to reality and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. Yes. I mean, no. Um, Eva.” He stepped back and offered her the room. “Please, come in.”
She walked past him and he closed his eyes feeling like an idiot as he stammered and stuttered. His eyes flew open as her aroma filled the air around him, filling his senses. He tried to concentrate on keeping his sanity and his composure. When she reached his desk, her fingers played along the edge before she turned around and leaned against it.
“I hope I’m not intruding.”
“No, not at all. I was just going through my,” he pointed at his desk several times before recalling the word he needed, “my lessons for the week.”
The silence was awkward, but he held on to every moment, stealing a look at her every chance he got.
“I’m sorry I haven’t seen you before now,” she said, her eyes concentrating on a fingernail she fiddled with. “It has been a crazy week.”
“I understand. I know it must have been awkward seeing me here.”
“Yeah, a little. What are you doing here anyway?”
“Do you remember when I told you I was a traveling teacher?”
“Yes, but here? Who would have thought you were to be transferred to my college?”
“I know. I actually thought you were in Bristol.”
“Bristol is where I grew up. It is where my family is. I was fortunate enough to get a scholarship and get accepted here in Oxford.”
“Small world.”
She nodded repeatedly. He didn’t know if she was at a loss for words or if she was having a difficult time telling him what she truly wanted to say. He hoped for the latter, and he hoped it was something he wanted to hear, but as the room thickened with silence he found it more difficult to keep his composure. His eyes cascaded along her neck, her milky white skin flawless, calling out to be kissed. Her pouty red lips slightly apart begged him to touch them. He took a step back and struggled with his emotions.