Chapter Twenty-Two
Poppy
I checked my phone anxiously as I stepped out of my car. Zach said he’d take care of things, but if he had he was leaving me in the dark. Then, the director of the program, Lewis Clybourne, had emailed me this morning asking me to meet before class. I’d texted Zach, hoping he had some insight as to what was going on, but I hadn’t heard back. Was it possible Dr. Clybourne had found out about me and Zach? But how? We’d been discreet, as far as I knew.
Briefly I wondered if someone could have overheard us in Zach’s office the other day, when things had turned heated. I bit my nail, a bad habit I’d mostly kicked but that still came out when I was particularly nervous. Suddenly this whole situation seemed like a huge mistake.
My heart pounded as I approached Clybourne’s door. When he opened it, Zach was already seated inside. My mouth dropped open in shock. What was he doing here?
“Come in, Poppy.” Dr. Clybourne smiled, his eyes crinkling in the corners.
I gathered myself and smiled back nervously, taking a seat uncertainly next to Zach. I wanted to catch his eye, hoping he could silently convey what was going on, but Clybourne started talking before I had the chance.
“So, you’re probably wondering why you’re here.” He shut the door and returned to his desk to take a seat.
“Is everything okay?” I asked, trying not to let worry creep into my voice. I didn’t know how much he knew, and I didn’t want to give anything away.
“Things have taken an interesting turn, but yes, I think it will be,” he said kindly. “I just wanted to have this meeting to keep everyone on the same page.” He looked at me over his black-framed glasses. “Zach has requested that we switch you to a new adviser.”
My mouth dropped open again and I quickly closed it. I looked in Zach’s direction. He looked back at me, but his face was impassive. What was happening?
“Normally we’d never do this, but Zach came forward about your relationship and we felt it would be in everyone’s best interest if we found you a new adviser,” he continued. “We think you have a great talent and we want to make sure you have an adviser who can critique your work and give you unbiased feedback.”
I forced myself to smile and nod, relief washing over me. I couldn’t believe it. He was actually okay with our relationship?
“That sounds … great. Thank you so much.”
“Of course.” He stood up, signaling the end of the meeting. “And if you ever have any questions, just let me know.”
I stood, my legs still slightly numb, and walked out of his office with Zach. I didn’t say anything as we walked toward his office, not wanting to be overheard. After we were safely inside, I let out a big sigh of relief.
“I can’t believe you told him about us,” I said, gaping. I laughed, thinking about how nervous I’d been walking in. “I was freaking out when I saw his email requesting the meeting.”
Zach smiled apologetically, running his hands along my arms. “I’m sorry about that. I was caught up in meetings and didn’t get your text. I would have given you a heads-up, but I had no idea he’d want to meet with us both.”
“I’m just glad he wasn’t upset. Weren’t you afraid they’d fire you?”
He ran a hand through his hair, taking a seat behind his desk and motioning me toward the chair in front of him “Honestly, a little. But I just told him the truth. That we hadn’t expected this to happen but after spending so much time together we developed feelings. And I wasn’t just saying it, I really think you should be with an adviser who is objective about your work.”
“I can’t believe he took it so well.” I was still in a state of disbelief.
He winked. “I’d done my research. I’m not a professor, not someone grading your work—as administrative staff, the guidelines are more gray. And I consulted a friend of mine. He said it’s better to come forward and get ahead of it before you’re discovered.”
I raised an eyebrow. “I almost can’t believe it. So we’re good?”
He laughed. “Yes, Poppy. We’re good. We have some other things to figure out between us, but we won’t have to hide from the university.”
Leaning over his desk, I placed my hand in his. “Thank you.”
Zach gave my hand a squeeze, his fingertips lightly rubbing the back of my hand. “You were worth the risk.”
I glanced at my watch and stood up quickly. “Shit, I should probably get to class. I’m going to be late.”
“Wait.” Zach got up and walked over to me, pulling me against him. His soft lips met mine, and my body melted against him as he kissed me. I automatically put my hands on his chest, gripping his shirt.
I pushed back, giving him a little shove on the chest. “I have to go to class,” I said breathily.
He smirked. “I know.”
“Maybe we can continue this tonight, at my place?” I grinned. “Connor was practically begging to see you again.”
Zach nodded, smiling, “I’ve missed that guy. It’s a date.”
As I was leaving his office, I gave Zach another quick kiss goodbye. When I turned to leave, I saw Kody and Jodee had rounded the corner on their way to class. They must have seen the kiss, because their mouths were hanging open, and they’d stopped dead in their tracks.
Kody put a hand up. “Hold on. What is this?”
I shrugged, hoping he’d drop it. I felt my face get hot. I had never been one for public displays of affection, especially with my ex-adviser.
“So, this is happening now?” Jodee asked hopefully, looking back and forth between us.
Zach and I exchanged looks.
“It’s happening.” I grinned.
“Thank God.” Kody rolled his eyes. “I was about to take matters into my own hands if your little stand-off didn’t end soon.” Then Kody sauntered over to Zach and looked him up and down. “Just know one thing. You won’t get a second chance with me.”
Zach laughed. “Sorry, man. It was a tempting offer, but I had to go with Poppy in the end.”
“We should probably get to class,” I said, ushering them along, not wanting to subject Zach to any more of their antics.
“I’ll call you later,” he called out as we headed down the hall.
I could feel Kody and Jodee practically bursting with things to say as we walked away. As soon as we rounded the corner, they both grabbed my arms.
“Oh my God,” Jodee exclaimed. “This is crazy.”
“Lucky bitch, now you have an adorable kid and a hot boyfriend?” Kody pouted.
“You can borrow my adorable kid whenever you want.” I laughed. “I’d say the same about my hot boyfriend, but I’m not sure he’d be happy about it.”
Kody smiled, looping an arm through mine as we headed to class. “I’ll settle for the kid.”
* * *
That night, I was still riding the high of the day when I walked in the front door.
“Mom, look.” Connor came running into the hallway and tugged my arm, pulling me toward the living room.
My mom had been watching him while I was in class, and she was crouched on the floor, putting down the last pieces of a puzzle.
“Look at the puzzle I’m doing.” Connor was still holding onto my arm, pulling me toward the floor so I could get a better look. Of course, it was astronaut themed. It was halfway finished, so I could only see part of a spaceship travelling through the stars.
“You did this all by yourself?”
“Grandma helped.” He grinned.
“This is amazing,” I said, pulling him in for a hug. “We can finish it later tonight.”
My mom was looking me up and down, assessing me with a smile on her face.
“What?” I asked. I cursed myself for how defensive I sounded. She would see right through that.
“Nothing.” She shrugged. “You’re just practically glowing right now. Good day at school?” She was smirking at me, and I knew she knew about Zach. I had no idea how, but she always knew these kinds of things.
Before I could respond my phone buzzed. It was Zach, letting me know he’d be over soon. When I looked back up my mom was still watching me, and I realized I’d been grinning at my phone.
“Can you stop?” I asked, laughing. “I’m just in a good mood. Is that so hard to believe?”
“Of course not, honey.” She smiled, pulling on her coat and picking up her purse. As I hugged her goodbye, she whispered in my ear, “Say hi to Zach for me.”
“Mom,” I exclaimed, half laughing half embarrassed at how easily she’d figured me out.
I was still grinning to myself as I watched her pull out of the driveway. I sat on the couch and Connor knelt back on the floor, trying to fit the next piece into the puzzle. I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when Zach walked in the door.
I was still reeling, not only from everything that had happened that day, but from everything that had happened during these past few months. What had started out as a stupid plan to have a fake boyfriend for one night had somehow turned into a real relationship. And not only did I now have the world’s greatest boyfriend, I could focus on school more seriously with an adviser who I wasn’t constantly imagining naked. Connor would have an amazing male role model who he adored and who adored him back. Now that everything had worked out, it seemed crazy that I’d ever thought this was so complicated. In fact, being with Zach made everything seem so much easier.
I glanced at the time before kneeling next to Connor to help with the puzzle. Zach would be on his way over soon. My phone buzzed again. It was Zach saying that he was going to make dinner for me and Connor, and I couldn’t think of a better way to end my day.