I felt like I was floating. It was stupid to feel like everything in my life was instantly brighter and better just because of some hot sex, but there it was. I wasn’t too proud to admit that Trevor had rocked my world. My skin was tingling, and I was smiling like a fool.

Nothing could bring me down.

Until we reached the apartment and I saw my Aunt Patty waiting out front. As soon as my aunt turned around, I knew instantly that something was very, very wrong.

“Aunt Patty! What are you doing here?”

Once I got closer, I gasped. My aunt’s eyes were red and swollen.

“There you are. I’ve been calling and calling.” Aunt Patty clasped me in a tight hug and I could feel the older woman trembling. “Uncle Sidney is in the hospital. He had a heart attack.”

I covered my mouth with my hands. “Oh, no. I’m so sorry, Aunt Patty. My phone was off.” I glanced over at Trevor, sure my guilt was written all over my face. My aunt had needed me while I was getting busy with him in the university library.

“I left once they told me they had to do some more tests, just to grab a few clothes. Sidney insisted. You know how he hates for me to hover over him.” My aunt twisted her wedding ring around her finger. “I just need to go home quickly.”

“Of course, I’ll go with you.”

Trevor’s hand landed on the small of my back, and I was grateful for the connection.

He said, “I’ll drive you to pick up your things and then back to the hospital.”

Aunt Patty smiled tremulously. “You don’t have to do that, Trevor.”

“No, I want to. You shouldn’t be driving right now when you’re upset.”

Somehow, in that cajoling way of his, Trevor managed to convince Aunt Patty to allow me to pack a bag for her, so she could make calls to the rest of our family. I packed several changes of clothes, my aunt’s toiletries on the bathroom counter, and a nightgown and slippers. I could only hope I hadn’t missed anything vital. My eyes landed on the large pair of slippers next to my aunt’s bed. I closed my eyes and prayed that my Uncle Sidney would be all right. I didn’t want to think about the alternative.

“Okay, I think I got everything.”

“I’m sure it’s fine, my dear.” My aunt rested a gentle hand over mine. “Thank you for that. And thank you, Trevor, for driving. You were right. I wouldn’t have been safe driving alone.”

“Anything for you, Professor.”

Aunt Patty chuckled. “I think you’re safe calling me Patty by now.”

Trevor looked in the rearview mirror before pulling away from the curb. “Not a chance. You’re still the same intimidating, kick-ass professor I met on my first day of college.”

That made my aunt smile, and in that moment I wished I could lean over the seat and kiss him.

At the hospital, Trevor and I took seats in the waiting room, while my aunt went to check on my uncle’s status. About ten minutes later, she came back to lead us to his room. As soon as I saw my uncle sitting up in bed, looking hale and hearty, I burst instantly into tears.

“Now, what’s all this? Pat, what have you been telling our girl? Did she think I was dead or something?” Sidney asked.

“Oh, Sidney! Don’t talk like that.”

My aunt swatted him on the arm playfully, but I could tell that she was just as happy to see him looking so well. The light blue hospital gown did him no favors, and his salt and pepper hair was standing on end in all directions, but he had all the usual spunk of my favorite uncle.

I wiped my face. “I’m just being silly, of course. It just hit me that we hadn’t had a chance to have dinner yet.”

Sidney smiled in understanding. “Afraid I’d kick the bucket before you had a chance to see me again?” He held open his arms so I could hug him. “Not a chance, little missy. I plan to be around for a long time.”

“You’d better be.” My aunt’s words were soft and heartfelt. She clasped Sidney’s hand and kissed him.

I suddenly felt like I was intruding on a very private moment.

“Well, we’re going to go and give you guys some privacy. I’m so glad you’re okay, Uncle Sidney. Come on, Trevor.”

After another hug for both my uncle and my aunt, Trevor and I waved goodbye before walking out into the hallway.

Once we were a few feet away, Trevor let out a heavy sigh. “I’m so glad he’s okay. You know, Professor Washington talks about him all the time. I used to think she was a newlywed. Then I found out they’ve been married thirty years.” He shook his head.

“I know. Amazing. That’s the real deal, right there.”

His eyes locked on mine. “The real deal. I guess you know it when you feel it.”

I followed Natalie out of the hospital, unsure of what to say or do. I wasn’t used to being with a girl during such an emotional time. It was telling, actually, to look back and realize how much of my relationship with Courtney had been routine. We’d existed side by side for years, more like fellow travelers than true partners.

At the time, I didn’t know just how superficial our connection was, but after watching Natalie with her aunt and uncle, I knew better. I wanted to know everything about her, including the people she cared about. It was a startling feeling, especially since we were just getting to know each other. Such strong feelings had to be because of the intense situation we were in, right? We lived together, and she was my advisor’s niece. That was it.

Sure.

“Thank you for driving us today, Trevor. That was really nice of you.” Natalie squeezed my arm as we walked through the hospital parking lot toward my car.

The praise made me a little uncomfortable. I didn’t like getting kudos for doing the bare minimum of decency. Especially from Natalie. I wanted her to know that she could always expect me to come through for her. Even though we’d had our disagreements, and probably would again, the thought of her not calling me if she was ever in trouble drove me crazy.

“I was happy to do it. I’m just glad your uncle is okay.”

Natalie let out a soft sigh. “Me too. I was so afraid that we’d get to the hospital and hear bad news. I can’t imagine my Aunt Patty without Uncle Sidney. They’re two pieces of the same puzzle, or at least that’s what he always says.”

I smiled at the description. “Have you ever felt that way about anyone?”

She broke away to get in the passenger side of the car, and I found myself impatient for her answer. Was there some guy out there holding her heart hostage?

Once inside, I turned to her before I even started the car. “Well?”

She laughed. “I thought I had found that. But what I found was a guy who really liked banging one of his students. Well, a lot of his students, since I wasn’t the only one, it turns out.”

“Ouch. That sucks. I’m sorry.” I really wasn’t, because that asshole’s bad decisions had brought her to me. If I knew his name, I’d send the guy a thank you card.

“It did suck, but I moved on. I’m here, and I love my classes. What about you? Have you ever felt that way?”

I wasn’t sure how to answer the question anymore. So I went for brutal honesty. “My last girlfriend walked out on me after two years together. I was completely blindsided. I loved her. But I guess she didn’t feel the same way.”

Her sharp intake of breath was comforting.

“Well, it sounds like you’re well rid of her. Both of us are well rid of people who didn’t appreciate us. I’m done with people wasting my time. I’d rather be alone than led on and then discarded.”

“I agree.” I glanced over at her, wishing that I wasn’t driving, so I could keep my eyes on her face.

“What?” she said after a few minutes. “You keep staring.”

“Just watching your eyes get all bright when you’re in feisty mode. I like it. That’s exactly the kind of attitude that I wish my sister had.”

Natalie turned in her seat to face me. “Oh, you have a sister. I didn’t know that.”

“Her name is Talia. She just transferred to NYU this year. I’ve been a little worried about her. She’s not strong like you are. All Talia has ever cared about are books, and I don’t even think she’s ever had a boyfriend. I’d hate for her to get taken advantage of.”

“You’re a good big brother. And I’m sure she's much tougher than you give her credit for. She’s related to you, after all. The guy who told me five seconds after meeting that you’d walk around naked if you wanted, and I could shove it.”

I winced. “Sorry about that. I can be a bit…”

“Of a dick?” Natalie supplied. “Yeah, I know. I figured that out on my own, thanks.”

“Ha, ha. Smartass. You’re not exactly an angel yourself. Inviting guys over and talking about cocks in my living room. You knew exactly what you were doing to me.”

“Oh? What was I doing to you?” Natalie raised her eyebrows.

“Giving me blue balls, for starters.”

She snorted. “That was for our research paper. Not to tease your dirty fantasies.”

I parked the car in front of our building. I turned off the ignition and we sat in silence, the only sound in the car my harsh breathing.

“You have no idea how many dirty fantasies I’ve had about you, Natalie. In my bed, in my shower, hell, even in the kitchen.”

“Really?” She looked at me from the corner of her eye. “Want to show me?”

I almost hurt myself, I jumped out of the car so fast. “Upstairs. Right now, you little tease.”